Beginning January 18, wireless carriers must comply with the FCC’s final benchmark for improving horizontal (x,y) location accuracy for outdoor 9-1-1 calls. Wireless carriers using network-based location (e.g. cell towers) must meet a location accuracy standard of 300 meters for 90% of wireless calls in 85% of counties or emergency communications center (ECC) service areas. Wireless carriers using handset-based location (e.g. GPS) must meet a location accuracy standard of 50 meters for 67% of calls, and 150 meters for 90% of calls, on a per-county or per-ECC basis. These requirements are separate from and in addition to the wireless indoor location requirements that the FCC established in 2015 (for example, by April 3, 2020, nationwide wireless carriers must achieve 50-meter horizontal location accuracy or provide dispatchable location – meaning the street address plus office or apartment number – for 70% of all wireless calls). Read the FCC’s Public Notice
