Date of Graduation

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MA

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Geology and Geography

Committee Chair

Trevor Harris

Committee Member

Greg Elmes

Committee Member

Ken Martis

Abstract

Recently there has been an explosive growth in the use of cellular telephones. Many people purchase "cell phones" specifically for the safety factor, expecting the same type of Enhanced 911 service they receive from landline phones. However, the only 911 service currently available for cellular callers in most areas is Basic 911, which means that emergency response time may be less than optimal. A recent Federal Communications Commission regulation promotes the provision of Enhanced 911 service for wireless customers. A key component of this Enhanced service is "Automatic Location Information" ("ALI"), a computerized report of caller location that allows calls to be selectively routed to the appropriate 911 dispatch center. Presently, ascertaining ALI for wireless phones is problematic because there are no fixed addresses associated with cellular phone numbers as there are with landline phone numbers. Numerous vendor companies have developed Location Determination Technologies to pinpoint the location of cellular callers in latitude/longitude and relay that information to 911 centers. A few of these location-tracking "solutions" have been implemented in select areas, but the majority of cities and counties have yet to decide upon a technology that will suit their specific needs and circumstances. This research seeks to synthesize information from the key agencies involved in this multi-faceted issue. It examines the importance of cellular ALI for Enhanced 911 service, the standards adopted by the FCC for cellular ALI, and the technologies that provide location information for wireless 911 calls. Through a case study of Monongalia County, West Virginia, it assesses the technological, economic and political issues involved in the implementation of cellular Enhanced 9-1-1 service at the local level.

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