Access to 9-1-1 from cell phones is very different from wired phones and also varies greatly around the country.

  • Basic 9-1-1

    Basic 9-1-1 means when you dial the three-digit number, a call-taker/dispatcher in the local public safety answering point (PSAP), or 9-1-1 call center, answers the call when the call is made from landline phones, such as a home or business phone. The emergency and its location are communicated by voice (or TTY) between the caller and the call-taker.

  • Enhanced 9-1-1

    In areas serviced by Enhanced 9-1-1, the call is selectively routed to the proper PSAP for the caller's location when the call is made from landline phones, such as a home or business phone, and the PSAP has equipment and database information that display the caller's phone number and address to the call-taker. 93% of counties with 9-1-1 coverage have Enhanced 9-1-1 for callers. The term "enhanced 9-1-1" is not synonymous with wireless 9-1-1.

  • Wireless Phase I

    80% of an estimated 240 million 9-1-1 calls are made from wireless devices, according to CTIA. When Phase I has been implemented, the call-taker automatically receives the wireless phone number. This is important in the event the wireless phone call is dropped, and may allow PSAP employees to work with the wireless company to identify the wireless subscriber. Phase I also delivers the location of the cell tower handling the call. The call is routed to a PSAP based on cell site/sector information.

  • Wireless Phase II

    Phase II allows call-takers to receive both the caller's wireless phone number and their location information based on GPS coordinates obtained through handset triangulation provided by the telephone company. The call is routed to a PSAP either based on cell site/sector information or on caller location information.

  • 9-1-1 Calls through VoIP

    Business and residential use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telecommunications services is growing at a rapid pace. Methods to bring 9-1-1 calls into E9-1-1 systems have recently become available, and NENA is leading work to develop full E9-1-1 capability for VoIP-based services.

  • Next Generation Trends

    Estimates are that more than 68% of all U.S. adults currently rely on wireless as their primary service
    (having given up wireline service or chosen not to use it).

Source - http://www.nena.org/