[Nfbc-info] FYI FW: What You Need to Know About Text-to-911

[Michael Hingson]

From: AccessInfo [mailto:AccessInfo at fcc.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 08:12 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: What You Need to Know About Text-to-911

 

You may have seen reports about a recent action taken by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) regarding "text-to-911" and wondered if it
is possible in an emergency to reach 911 by text message.  Text-to-911 is
the ability to send a text message to 911 from your mobile phone or handheld
device.   

 

On December 12, 2012, the FCC proposed to require all wireless carriers,
including certain providers of text messaging applications, such as
iMessage, to make it possible for customers to send text messages to 911.
The four largest wireless carriers have already voluntarily committed to
make texting to 911 possible by May 15, 2014.  

 

However,  because most 911 centers are not ready to accept text messages
now, the FCC also proposed to require, by June 30, 2013, automated
"bounce-back" error messages to consumers who send text messages to such 911
centers that are not ready to receive these messages.  In other words, if
you send a text message to a 911 center that does not have the ability to
accept text calls, after June 30, 2013, that center will have to send you
back a text message that informs you that you need to reach 911 in another
way.   These messages will continue until that center is able to receive
emergency calls in text.  

 

The public is asked to comment on such proposed requirements by this Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 12-149).  The link to this FNPRM is:
<http://www.fcc.gov/document/text-911-further-notice-proposed-rulemaking>
http://www.fcc.gov/document/text-911-further-notice-proposed-rulemaking.  

 

For now, here are three facts you need to know:

 

1.           In an emergency, always make a voice, relay, or TTY call to 911
if possible.

2.           In most cases now, you cannot reach 911 by sending a text
message. 

3.           In the future, you may be able to send text messages to 911 -
but you should still make a voice or TTY call if you can.

 

Although text-to-911 is generally not available yet, it will become
increasingly available during 2013.  AccessInfo will help to keep you
informed about the progress of this very important service.

 

For more information about text-to-911, please visit the FCC webpage at:
<http://www.fcc.gov/text-to-911> http://www.fcc.gov/text-to-911. 

 

 

Merry Christmas,

 

 

Michael Hingson

 

The Michael Hingson Group, INC.

"Speaking with Vision"

Michael Hingson, President

(415) 827-4084

info at michaelhingson.com

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