The location challenges stem from inherent limitations in how cell phones work and a decision the FCC made several years ago to allow manufacturers to use two different location technologies.

Network technology uses cell phone towers to zero in on a caller through a process known as triangulation. But to triangulate, there need to be at least three towers near the caller, which is unlikely in rural areas.

The second method uses satellite technology embedded in the phone. Rescuers use a geographical information system that guides them to the caller, often with great accuracy. While those phones are desirable in rural areas, they may be ill-suited in the urban canyons common to cities.

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Federal law and FCC rules require that providers using the network method should be accurate to within 300 meters — that’s about three football fields — for 95 percent of calls and within 100 meters for 67 percent of calls.

For the satellite method, responders must be guided to within 150 meters for 95 percent of calls and 50 meters for 67 percent of calls.

The FCC does not do any independent testing to ensure compliance, but rather acts on complaints. For assurances on accuracy, they rely on the companies themselves.
The flaw in the system is that carriers are permitted to use a large area, such as an entire state, to calculate their accuracy rate. Through averaging they may score well overall, but there may be gaps in some areas that are not addressed.

“It doesn’t do any good for people in Buffalo and Albany if things are going well in New York City,” Martin said.

The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials has urged the agency to require that testing be done on a community-level basis and Martin agrees. He said he will ask the full commission to issue an order granting APCO’s request.

APCO also has asked that the providers share their accuracy data with rescuers, something else the chairman agrees with.

Martin also said he will address the network-versus-handset technology issue, something that may have a profound effect on the makers of the nation’s 200 million-plus cell phones.

A “notice of proposed rulemaking” on the issue will be circulated at the commission in the next few weeks.

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