It's true many organizations use wireless endpoints to deliver improved communications capabilities for mobile users within the office. Implementing a Cisco (News - Alert) Unified Wireless Network, according to 911 Enable officials, 'provides these users with service that is more secure and reliable than a radio system, and less expensive than traditional cell phones or smartphones.'
Officials say the system 'allows users to be reached regardless of their location, whether they are at their desk, or on the other side of the organization's campus.'
Though this increased mobility can enhance the efficiency of users, it also creates a challenge for E911 because many organizations run their wireless networks across a single large subnet, and most E911 tools only allow Emergency Response Locations to be identified by subnet.
In other words, when 911 is dialed from an enterprise wireless phone, the Public Safety Answering Point would receive the location information for the large subnet, within which the caller could be anywhere. This means emergency responders would have to search the entire subnet area to locate the distressed caller.
Earlier this month TMC's (News - Alert) Alice Straight reported that 911 Enable (News - Alert) 'is now part of the Cisco Developer Network as a solution developer within the unified communications technology category.'
The Cisco Developer Network, Straight said, 'unites Cisco with third-party developers of hardware and software to deliver tested interoperable solutions to joint customers.'
In order to help organizations deploy a Cisco Unified Wireless Network and provide accurate E911 services for their users, 911 Enable has developed an E911 product for wireless endpoints which identifies the accurate location of wireless phones by associating ERLs to wireless access point Basic Service Set Identifiers.
Thus, because BSSIDs are located throughout the enterprise, ERLs can be provisioned to identify a more precise location.
The EGW then periodically queries the enterprise wireless LAN controllers to determine which endpoint MAC addresses are connected to which BSSIDs, so when 911 is dialed, the EGW uses the phone's MAC address to look up the corresponding BSSID and ERL. 'This information is then delivered to the PSAP, allowing the dispatcher to provide emergency responders with a more precise location for the caller,' 911 Enable officials say.
David Sims is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of David's articles, please visit his columnist page. He also blogs for TMCnet here.
Edited by Alice Straight
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