Timeline
 

1983: First wireless phone hit the market

1996: FCC proposed measures to improve wireless location technology in the U.S.

1997: FCC ruling setting several deadlines and reporting dates for carriers implementing wireless 911 services

1998: Indiana General Assembly formed the Indiana Wireless Advisory Board

1998: FCC Phase I Deadline
Requires wireless service providers to send wireless 911 calls to an E911 PSAP including:
· Location of the wireless tower through which the E911 call is processed
· Call back number of the wireless phone placing the 911 call

1998: (April) Allen and Steuben Counties (Ind.) became the first counties in the country to accept Phase I 911 calls from Centennial Wireless

1999: (October) Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (911 Act) was enacted

2001: FCC Phase II Deadline
Requires wireless providers to send the actual caller's location to the E911 PSAP with accuracy:
· Within 50 meters or 164 ft. 67% of the time
· Within 150 meters or 492 ft. 95% of the time

2001: (June) Deadline for 50% of all new handsets activated to be ALI-capable

2001: (October) St. Clair County (Ill.) is the first community in the country to accept Phase II wireless E911 calls from Verizon Wireless

2001: (October) Deadline for carriers to begin selling and activating ALI-capable handsets

2001: (November) Lake County (Ind.) began accepting Phase II calls from Verizon Wireless

2001: (December) Deadline for 25% of all new handsets activated to be ALI-capable

2002: (August) Tim Berry, Indiana Treasurer of State and chairman of the board of the Indiana Wireless Advisory Board, is appointed to the National Emergency Number Association's national Strategic Wireless Action Team

2002: (December) Deadline for 100% of all new handsets activated to be ALI-capable

2005: (December) Deadline for carriers to reach full penetration of ALI-capable handsets in their subscriber bases

PSAP = Public Safety Answering Point
ALI = Automatic Location Identification