WisBusiness: 911 Surcharge Chopped More than 50 Percent

WisBusiness.com

Wisconsin cell phone users will soon see a more than 50 percent reduction in the monthly E-911 surcharge, the state Public Service Commission (PSC) announced today.

The surcharge funds the state’s Wireless Enhanced 911 program, and the PSC has asked wireless providers to reduce rates from 92 cents per month to 43 cents per month.

Wireless Enhanced 911 allows emergency service personnel to pinpoint the exact location of a wireless caller. Without E-911, emergency responders must obtain the location of a caller verbally.

In many instances, callers can’t give their exact location because they are too sick, too injured or they simply don’t know their exact location. This grant program provides the necessary funding for wireless providers and the counties to implement the technology, PSC officials said.

“Wireless Enhanced 911 is a vital program for our state and has proven to be an essential public safety tool,” said PSC Chairman Dan Ebert. “The increasing number of cellular users can have peace of mind that this program will soon be operational in nearly all counties across the state.”

See release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=113213

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