WHEREAS the technology is available to have cell tower location and caller number register for cell phone access to 911 emergency service centres (enhanced 911 wireless access or Phase I access), and for cell caller location coordinates to be conveyed to 911 call centres (Phase II access);AND WHEREAS approximately 50% of calls to 911 call centres are from cell phones; AND WHEREAS there are numerous occasions throughout Alberta in which those involved in emergency situations and those coming upon emergencies who contact 911 may not be in a position to state their location;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to ensure that all wireless service providers (WSPs) provide enhanced 911 wireless access, and strongly encourage WSPs to implement Phase II technology.

The 911 emergency call system is a most valuable service in achieving early response for emergency service needs. Accessing the 911 service through a land phone delivers the callers address and additional critical emergency response information (e.g. location) for the 911 service. The technology exists whereby this same type of information can be delivered for calls to 911 from cell phones. Given that approximately 50% of the 911 calls are from cell phones, it is important that the technology available be fully utilized to ensure that location details for cell phone callers are provided to the 911 call centre. People who are involved in accidents may not always be able to give location information. This is also true of some people who come upon an accident and may be new to or visiting the area and are unfamiliar with location details.At present, Telus Mobility, Microcell (Fido), and Bell Mobility are providing enhanced wireless 911 access in Alberta. This conveys the name and location of the tower processing the cell call and the call back number of the cell phone to the emergency call centre (commonly referred to as Phase I). Rogers AT&T Wireless does not currently provide Phase I enhanced wireless 911 access in Alberta, although the company intends to implement Phase I access in 2004, after it has negotiated a service agreement with Telus.These negotiations follow a decision by the CRTC in August 2003 (Telecom Decision CRTC 2003-53) that requires all wireless service providers to offer Phase I service. The CRTC decision does not mention Phase II access, which provides cell caller location coordinates within a few metres, using GPS or a system based on the phones location relative to two cellular towers.A similar resolution was presented by Swan Hills to the AUMA September 2003 Conference.

The AAMDC has no resolutions currently in effect with respect to this issue.