An order on reconsideration circulated to FCC Commissioners June 23 would address a motion for clarification or, in the alternative, petition for partial reconsideration of an order that the FCC adopted in 2013 aimed at ensuring that 911 service remains available during and after disasters (TRDaily, Dec. 12, 2013), an agency source told TRDaily today.

In its filing (TRDaily, Feb. 27, 2014), Intrado, Inc., asked the FCC “to confirm that Section 12.4 (b) of the agency’s rules permits Covered 911 Service Providers to take reasonable alternative measures with respect to auditing, tagging, and eliminating single points of failure with respect to Critical 911 Circuits and auditing network Monitoring Links. In the alternative, Intrado respectfully requests the Commission reconsider the Report and Order and amend Subsections 12.4 (c)(1) and (3) to provide flexibility to enable Providers to take reasonable alternative measures in lieu of auditing, tagging, and eliminating single points of failure with respect to Critical 911 Circuits and auditing network Monitoring Links.”

The Texas 9-1-1 Alliance and the Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications filed comments in support of Intrado’s request (TRDaily, March 28, 2014).

The order on reconsideration circulated this week provides some additional clarity regarding the application of the rules adopted in 2013, the agency source said.

That order, adopted on a 3–2 party line vote, requires covered 911 providers to certify annually that they have implemented industry “best practices” for auditing 911 circuits for physical diversity, maintaining central office backup power, and maintaining reliable and resilient networking monitoring systems. Alternatively, providers can certify that they have adopted alternative measures, but they must explain their reasons for relying on those other measures.- Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com