To Modernize Call System, States Increase Charges.

• Author: Bloch, Samantha
• Position: 911 SERVICES

The 911 emergency system receives more than 240 million calls a year, according to the National 911 Program, with about 80% coming from wireless devices. Americans have come to rely on the system and value it as an essential service.

Nearly 70% of respondents to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey were willing to pay more for expanded 911 services if it would shorten the time it takes for emergency responders to locate them during a crisis.

So far this year, South Dakota enacted a bill that allows emergency call centers (aka public safety answering points) to request, on behalf of law enforcement, that a wireless communications carrier provide the location of a telecommunications device, if the information could help in providing emergency services.

In a significant trend last year, state lawmakers modified funding models for 911 services and increased 911 fees and surcharges. Seven states--Arkansas, California, Kansas, Maryland, New York, Oregon and Utah--created new fees or increased 911 service charges for subscribers of telecommunications services and for consumers who make prepaid purchases of cellphone and other services.

NG911 on the Way

Some of the new statutes also make money available to implement Next Generation 911 technology, which expands emergency services considerably. NG911 is an internet-based system that allows users to send photos, text messages and videos to an emergency call center and can reroute the data in case the nearest center has problems or is overloaded with calls.

Text-to-911 services are vital when the caller has a hearing or speech disability, when placing a call could put someone in danger or when call systems are overloaded during disasters

No state has fully...