The 411 on 911: emergency calling systems evolve to address IP, broader communications options

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Features

By: Paula Bernier, Internet Telephony, May 2010

 

The migration of the country’s networks to IP, as well as the proliferation of different types of connected interactions and devices, is impacting virtually every aspect of communication. Emergency services are no exception.

The National Emergency Number Association is calling for the migration of E911 networks to what NENA calls NG911, or next generation 911, as discussed in the E911 Watch column authored by RedSky Technologies Senior Vice President Nick Maier in the January issue of INTERNET TELEPHONY.The idea is to move E911 systems to standards-based IP platforms and, in the process, enable citizens and those involved in emergency response to interact not only in voice, but also via text, IM and possibly even video communications.

“It’s not just Mrs. Smith calling from her living room on the wireline” anymore, notes Ian Colville, product manager at Aculab, which sells a PSTN-to-IP gateway. The gateway, called GroomerII, is used in public safety applications by such companies as microDATA.

He says a hiker in Yosemite National Park who breaks her leg might call 911 using her mobile device, or an executive working in a skyscraper might call in via a Skype connection. Teens, meanwhile, might be predisposed to reach out via text. E911 systems should be able to accept all these types of communications and have the know-how to locate the individuals in peril.

They also need to maintain the resiliency now found in PSTN networks, notes Aculab.

“A growing number of service providers are choosing an IP infrastructure to deliver mission-critical services, like voice, conferencing – even emergency services – to consumers and enterprises,” says Chris Gravett, sales and marketing director at Aculab. “While IP networks offer a number of profound economic and operational benefits, they have evolved in a ‘best effort’ environment and do not possess the same inherent degree of resilience and redundancy as traditional PSTN networks. Our Dual Redundant SIP Service helps these providers meet the needs of their customers by increasing the reliability of IP networks to a level similar to legacy TDM environments.”

Kevin Breault, vice president of sales and business development at Dash Carrier Services, says FCC rules put in place in 2005 stipulate that VoIP providers have to deliver 911 services to their subscribers, and they can do that by gathering in advance location information from their subscribers and use it to populate E911 databases. Dash, which late last year expanded its 911 play with the acquisition of VIXXI Solutions, outfits various types of service providers, as well as large organizations, with E911 services.

But while some rules addressing the transition to IP exist, and while NENA has laid the groundwork for the E911 migration to next-generation technologies, Breault says significant questions remain about who will pay for all this, and who will be responsible for what and in which situations.

While those questions remain, there was encouraging news on this front in late February when officials at an FCC event announced that The National Broadband Plan, which the commission was expected to present last month, would ask that Congress immediately appropriate funding for the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration to analyze the cost of deploying an NG911 system on a nationwide basis.

“This report should serve as a basis for congressional action to create a coordinated, long-term funding mechanism for the deployment and operation of such a broadband system,” said James Arden Barnett, Jr., chief of the FCC’s Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau. Streamlining this process will make the transition to a nationwide next-generation 911 system more likely.

Another recommended solution may be for Congress to establish a federal legal and regulatory framework for the development of next-generation 911 that removes jurisdictional barriers and inconsistent legacy regulations.

“The FCC may, as part of the efforts to implement solutions, consider initiating a proceeding that would address the future roles of 911 and next-generation 911 as communications technologies, networks and architectures expand beyond traditional voice-centric devices,” he added.

Based on 2009 spending of $7.9 billion, Gartner predicts that public safety departments across the U.S. will spend approximately $9.1 billion by 2012. The research firm also indicates that new CIO structures within state and local governments are likely to be more receptive to alternative technology and delivery methods for core operations.

However, to bring about changes for 911 and provide better services around emergency response, Breault says, more funding and organization will be required. Some states, like California, Indiana and Texas, have more state oversight and resources to help support the migration to IP, he says, but it would be helpful to get more support.

Breault says the FCC has been “turning a blind eye” to states that are asking VoIP service providers to contribute to 911. Of course, that could help contribute to the cost of the E911 migration to next-generation technologies; but it’s just the start. According to Breault, a variety of organizations, including the E9-1-1 Institute, 9-1-1 Industry Alliance and NENA, have been lobbying to get more federal funds for 911.

Meanwhile, different levels of government need to work out how they are going to handle various emergency calling scenarios, Breault adds. For example, if a car breaks down on the interstate and the motorist calls 911, the call today would be routed to a public safety answering point, or PSAP. But the interstate is a state-based entity, so that call does not fall within the typical jurisdiction of PSAPs, which tend to be managed by lower-level governments. Yet PSAPs can’t forward calls, says Breault, so various levels of government need to get together on the processes and responsibilities around these kinds of things as they invest in new systems.

Further reading: Emergency services solutions.

Product related information: Aculab's GroomerII, a signalling and media gateway.

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