Leaders of four key organizations ask members of the Senate Commerce Committee to include federal funding to pay for the deployment of IP-based, next-generation-911 (NG911) technology in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” reconciliation legislation that the Senate is expected to consider in the near future

By Donny Jackson, Editor

Four Organizations Ask Senate Committee For NG911 Funding

Leaders of four key organizations ask members of the Senate Commerce Committee to include federal funding to pay for the deployment of IP-based, next-generation-911 (NG911) technology in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” reconciliation legislation that the Senate is expected to consider in the near future

By Donny Jackson, Editor

Leaders of four key organizations last week asked members of the Senate Commerce Committee to include federal funding to pay for the deployment of IP-based, next-generation-911 (NG911) technology in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” reconciliation legislation that the Senate is expected to consider in the near future.

Dated June 4, the letter to Senate Commerce Committee members notes that there previously has been some bipartisan support for legislative proposals that called for spectrum-auction revenues being used to fund NG911 deployment nationwide—a task that has been estimated in the past to cost between $10 billion and US$20 billion. Such proposals have not been approved to date, resulting in 911 centers throughout the US being forced to use systems that are “woefully outdated, relying on analog technologies that are decades old,” according to the joint letter.

Under budget legislation that narrowly passed the House and is presently before the Senate, there is language that would restore the FCC’s authority to conduct spectrum auctions, but there is no mention of directing any funds toward deployment of IP-based NG911 technology throughout 911 call centers throughout the US.

“While the reconciliation legislation pending before Congress includes important spectrum-auction provisions, it does not provide NG911 funding,” the letter states. “We acknowledge the needs of the day, particularly regarding the federal deficit and tax cuts, but Congress cannot ignore the importance of investing in a nationwide upgrade to 911.

“These technologies are critical to keep our communities safe and our nation secure. Therefore, Congress must fully fund nationwide deployment of NG911 technology through spectrum-auction revenues or other means.”

In a notable sign of unity among four of the key organizations representing 911 interests, the joint letter was signed by CEO and executive director for the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO)Mel Maier; interim executive director for the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT)Don Brittingham; executive director the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA)Harriet Rennie-Brown; and CEO of NENA: The 9-1-1 Association Brian Fontes.

Approving the funding bill without NG911 provisions would be problematic, according to the letter.

“The government’s failure to invest in more advanced and secure technology upgrades at the Federal Aviation Administration places our citizens at risk, and the same is true for our nation’s 911 systems,” the joint letter states. “While it is important to count dollars saved towards the deficit, a lack of funding for NG911 will be counted in lives lost.

“Paradoxically, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act increases national defense spending, while ignoring 911 emergency communications. Our 911 infrastructure is the first link in any emergency situation, especially in times of national emergencies or terrorist attacks. Indeed, the very notion of ‘See Something, Say Something’ is ingrained in Americans at a young age to report any suspicious activity. It is impossible to maintain a strong national defense without a resilient 911 system … Full, nationwide deployment of NG911 must be a national priority.”

Beltway sources have indicated that there is considerable support—at least philosophically—that NG911 is needed in public-safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the United States, but there are significant challenges associated with securing the federal funding requested in the recent joint letter.

Historically, 911 has been funded by state and local governments, with little or no federal funding. Convincing Congress to initiate funding for a new initiative like NG911 at a time when longstanding budget programs are facing funding decreases—or outright elimination, in some cases—could be especially difficult, according to sources.While NG911 funding was included in legislative proposals during the previous Congress, the language only called for NG911 money to be allocated after the FCC’s “rip and replace” program—designed to rid US commercial networks of equipment from China-based vendors like Huawei and ZTE—was fully funded. If there is no “rip and replace” language packaged in legislation addressing NG911 funding, some Beltway sources have contended that it may be much more difficult to secure the votes needed for passage.

And legislation that prioritized “rip and replace” funding ahead of NG911 deployments met with lukewarm responses by some in the 911 community. These skeptics expressed concern about the amount of money that would be made available for NG911 deployments and when it would be available, if it was tied to a spectrum auction that might not be conducted for several years.

More recent discussions have noted that issues associated with NG911 deployments in locations like California are an indication that migrating PSAPs to the IP-based technology is not a simple, straightforward upgrade. Others have noted that cloud-based applications being used by PSAPs today provide much of the functionality promised by NG911, although those offerings are not native to the 911 system.

One key item that the joint letter notes is that IP-based NG911 would let PSAPs take advantage of the latest cybersecurity advances—tactics and strategies that cannot be implemented in the legacy 911 environment—at a time when all US critical-infrastructure systems seemed to be targeted with increasing frequency.

“These outdated systems cannot protect our nation against cyberattacks and threats from malicious actors, both foreign and domestic,” the joint letter states. “Critical investments in new technologies are urgently needed to modernize our 911 systems and safeguard the public and the nation. Full, nationwide deployment of NG911 must be a national priority.

“As the Senate begins debating the reconciliation bill, we urge the Committee to ensure the safety and security of our communities by providing the essential funds for the nationwide deployment of NG911. The time to act is now—our communities cannot afford any further delay in building a safer, more resilient 911 system.”