News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Matt Skinner, Public Information

Phone: (405) 521-4180, FAX: (405) 521-6945 m.skinner@occemail.com

August 2, 2004

MEDIA ADVISORY

COMMISSION VOTE SET TO PAVE WAY TO TRACK WIRELESS 911 CALLS

WHO: Oklahoma Corporation Commission, various municipalities and municipal associations, SBC-Oklahoma.

WHAT: Hearing and vote on settlement regarding fees for 911 calls from cellular phones.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday 08-03-04

WHERE: Jim Thorpe Building Commission Courtroom (301) 2101 North Lincoln, OKC

WHY:

BACKGROUND

The dispute between SBC-Oklahoma and various entities is about a year and a half old. The central issue is how to pay for the cost of systems that will allow a 911 operator to trace cellular phone calls. There have been cases where 911 calls from a cellular phone have actually gone to centers in states far from where the caller was located.

The 911 Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, the Indian Nations Council of Governments, the cities of Oklahoma City and Tulsa and others objected to SBC-Oklahoma’s initial proposal of a per-call charge for all cellular calls made to a 911 center, plus a one-time installation fee.

In response to concerns from local governments, the Corporation Commission suspended SBC-Oklahoma’s proposed tariff in November of 2002. Commission staff was instructed to work with all parties in the matter in the hopes of reaching a settlement. Again, that settlement is expected to be voted on tomorrow.

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(All OCC advisories and news releases are available at the Commission web site www.occ.state.ok.us)