Recent developments that have occurred in the world of next-generation 9-1-1 technology over the last couple of months have indicated great change for the E9-1-1 industry as a whole. Most notably, the legislative branch of the U.S. government has taken steps to improve the operation and proliferation of next generation 9-1-1 services nationwide.

It is perhaps a fact less-than-widely known that the E9-1-1 networks in the U.S. are outdated. Congress recently took issue to begin mending this problem as the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology adopted the next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act which aims to upgrade 9-1-1 capabilities. One important feature of this act allows for $250 million to be distributed over the next five years for new training, services, and technology, according to various reports.

Ron Cramer, president of Digital Data Technologies, a provider of NG9-1-1 solutions in Columbus, Ohio, commented on the recent legislation when he stated, "Outdated technology costs lives. I applaud Congress for taking up this important issue and for working to ensure life-saving technology is affordable and available to all."

The amendment, labeled H.R. 2629, was offered by Reps John Shimkus from Illinois and Anna Eshoo from California, with an expected date of going before Congress in the coming weeks.

The Federal Communications Commission also recently took action in the E9-1-1 sector by issuing a reminder to participants of its June 30 deadline for the implementation of the Common Alerting Protocal requirements.

The CAP standard requires that certain broadcast service providers in the radio and video industries upgrade their networks to enable better messaging and alert broadcasting. Check out more information about the CAP requirements here.

Juliana Kenny graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double degree in English and French. After managing a small company for two years, she joined TMC (News - Alert) as a Web Editor for TMCnet. Juliana currently focuses on the call center and CRM industries, but she also writes about cloud telephony and network gear including softswitches.

Edited by Stefanie Mosca