E911 Hosted Solutions Featured Article

In case of emergency, call 911… as long as you’re in the United States. If you’re in Europe, it’s probably 112, unless you’re in London or the UK, in which 999 is more popular. The number to call varies based on your location, but no matter what the number is, it’s an important one to know.

At the International Telecommunications Union conference, several nations have decided to use either 911 or 112 as the emergency number of choice. Some smart phones can already recognize various emergency numbers, such as iPhones dialing 911 when “112” is input. If a phone has to be smart about something, emergency numbers are the best choice.

Furthermore, E911 (or I suppose E112 is acceptable as well) has become very helpful, providing information about the caller, the caller’s location, and any other key notes to the emergency services. It helps them get the help they need without speed bumps or waits that could be avoided, which can save lives.

It’s also been shifting from a PBX (News - Alert) system to WebRTC, so when there’s an emergency at a company’s office, the proper information is sent out whether the caller is using a soft phone or calling from the PBX system. Technology will eventually be applied to wireless access points, providing location awareness instantly when emergency calls are made.

Will we eventually have two interchangeable emergency numbers? Only time will tell. What’s certain, though, is that emergency calls should always be answered quickly, and the emergencies themselves dealt with in the fastest, most effective way possible. For that, E911 is a necessity.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO Miami 2013, Jan 29- Feb. 1 in Miami, Florida.  Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.