Nebraska high court: Wireless provider must use set methods for collecting 911 services fees

911 fees subject of Nebraska high court ruling

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Supreme Court is backing the state’s Public Service Commission in a legal fight waged by a prepaid-wireless carrier over 911 fees.

In an opinion released Friday, the high court affirmed a lower court’s decision that TracFone Wireless Inc. must use one of three approved methods to collect fees from prepaid-wireless cell phone users for enhanced emergency services.

The surcharge is meant to help emergency responders identify and track the location of people who call 911 from a cell phone.

The case arose after Miami-based TracFone proposed two alternative ways to collect from customers — both of which were rejected by the commission.

A phone message left Friday for an attorney for TracFone wasn’t immediately returned.