It needs to use both rules currently. The drop pod itself is in deep strike so it needs to be 9" from an enemy model. Then after that during the deployment the models within must still be setup outside of 9" from an enemy model.but the drop pod doesn't need to use Deep Strike to set up on the battlefield, it can use Drop Pod Assault which does not have any range requirement for the drop pod itself only that the units disembarking be more than 9" away. This makes deploying the damn thing just a bit easier.
It's important because if you were just measuring from the hull of the drop pod and not the doors(like a sane person), you can't drop the drop pod 9" from a model, and then disembark(so within 3" from the transport) the models so they're only 6" from an enemy model(so no using it to get a 6" charge). Drop pod assault also lets you drop it turn 1, but doesn't override the 9" deep strike, it forces you to use deep strike(so you can't decide to just deploy it during deployment for some weird reason).
CORE: Deadly Demise 1, Deep Strike
Drop Pod Assault: This model must start the battle in Reserves, but neither it nor any units embarked within it are counted towards any limits placed on the maximum number of Reserves units you can start the battle with. This model can be set up in the Reinforcements step of your first, second or third Movement phase, regardless of any mission rules. Any units embarked within this model must immediately disembark after it has been set up on the battlefield, and they must be set up more than 9" away from all enemy models. After this model has been set up on the battlefield, no units can embark within it.
If it didn't use deep strike and could somehow land next to an enemy model, you would be able to put it into a position where you couldn't disembark within 3", and outside of 9", and be stuck using the emergency disembarkation rules forcing a 50/50 for taking mortal wounds for each model that was in it(and if you dropped it too close without a range requirement to multiple enemy units, you'd risk just entirely killing the models inside).