ALLENTOWN, Pa.-Vanguard Cellular Systems Inc. and Xypoint Corp. are set to begin the nation’s first commercial trial of wireless enhanced 911 service in Allentown, Pa.
“Wireless E911 saves lives. It’s that simple,” said Allentown Mayor William L. Heydt. “This new service is all about improving public safety. By giving our emergency dispatchers the high-tech tools they need to locate wireless 911 callers, we’ll improve response time to emergencies.”
Wireless E911 will allow a wireless caller’s 10-digit phone number and general location, determined by the cell site that receives the call, to automatically register on an emergency dispatcher’s computer screen, much like enhanced 911 works on landline phones.
“If the trial goes as planned,” said Vanguard Product Manager Mike Mallory, “we will roll out enhanced 911 service for our customers throughout our markets by the end of the year.”
Between 50,000 and 100,000 911 calls are made daily from cellular phones.
