FCC Updates 911 Network Reliability Requirements

Executive briefing: On November 15, 2023 the Federal Communications Commission strengthened its 911 reliability rules. Covered 911 service providers must file expanded annual certifications detailing diversity, backup power, and network monitoring; notify public safety answering points of outages within 30 minutes; and maintain alternative network routes for critical circuits.

Key policy signals

• Certification scope. Providers must document physical diversity, logical diversity, and backup power coverage for central offices and call-routing facilities.
• Outage notifications. The order tightens deadlines and requires standardized content for outage notices to 911 authorities.
• Implementation timelines. Providers have 12 months to update reliability plans and complete third-party audits if required.

Control alignment

• Emergency communications. Enterprises relying on E911 services should verify carrier compliance evidence and updated notification contacts.
• Continuity drills. Incorporate enhanced outage notification flows into emergency operations centre exercises.
• Vendor contracts. Update telecom procurement language to reflect FCC reliability obligations and reporting expectations.

Action checklist

• Request revised 911 reliability certifications from service providers once filed with the FCC.
• Validate backup power commitments at hosted call-handling sites supporting enterprise emergency communications.
• Ensure enterprise mass-notification systems can leverage the new outage notice data formats.

Sources

• FCC — FCC Adopts Rules to Strengthen 911 Network Reliability (November 15, 2023)
• FCC — 911 Reliability Report and Order

Zeph Tech works with telecom and public safety teams to operationalise the FCC’s 911 resilience mandate.

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