Improving Wireless Location Detection

With so many households eliminating landline phones, the volume of 911 calls from cell phones is rapidly increasing. Callers may not be aware that the current technology to detect the location of a wireless phone is only accurate within 164 to 984 feet. This includes both latitude and longitude. For example, if a 911 call came from within a high-rise building, first responders are unable to determine the floor or sometimes even the building where the 911 call originated.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing new rules for cell carriers to help improve the accuracy of location information transmitted with 911 calls. The proposal asks wireless providers to meet interim location accuracy metrics that would be sufficient to identify the building and deliver vertical location information that would enable first responders to identify the building floor level.

In the long term, the FCC is seeking to develop more granular indoor location accuracy standards that would require identification of the specific room, office, or apartment where a wireless 911 call is made.

Unfortunately, the major cell carriers as well as CTIA – The Wireless Association are opposing the proposed changes. Cell carriers argue that the technology does not currently exist to meet the new rules. Privacy advocates have expressed concern with the proposed changes and how the location information might be used outside of emergency response.

We certainly hope that both the cell carriers and the FCC can agree upon achievable goals that will help first responders quickly and accurately locate citizens in need of help.

Learn more: http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-acts-help-emergency-responders-locate-wireless-911-callers

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/cellphone-verizon-sprint-911-emergency-call

Text-to-911 is Here

Four major U.S. carriers, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint, now offer text-to-911 in select areas. This new option is NOT yet live across all states and counties in the U.S. and how these texts are handled will vary from region to region.

It is up to each 911 call center to decide if and when to begin accepting texts. Some call centers have started to accept text messages already. Even so, in areas where text-to-911 is available, consumers should continue to contact 911 by making a voice call if they can, and use text only if voice is not a feasible or safe option.

Consumers sending a text in areas where the service has yet to go live will receive an automatic “bounce-back” message informing them that the service is not available.

States that have participating counties include Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides details on deployment status as of May 16, 2014.

Learn More: http://www.fcc.gov/text-to-911