Kagan: Updating 9-1-1 Emergency Services is a challenge and opportunity

When we were young, we were taught in case of emergency to call 9-1-1 or the Operator for help. That was back in the day when all we had was a phone and a telephone line. Today, things are much different. Today, we have many different devices that we use to communicate using different networks like wireless, Internet and telephone. This transformation creates both a challenge and a growth opportunity. 

The explosion of new technology creates more need for emergency services on more devices on more networks. This is very confusing, complex and costly. Carriers and makers of smartphones, tablets, watches, smart television and more are all struggling to keep up. 

FCC says every company, product, service must update emergency services

About twenty years ago, we came very close to covering all homes and offices with emergency services over the landline network. Then everything started to change. The Internet and wireless started to explode with growth. 

During the past few decades, we have seen many different kinds of technologies to keep in touch. Smartphones, watches, tablets, computers, televisions, even refrigerators. Anything connected to the Internet is part of the larger world that all needs to be connected to emergency services.

This is the new challenge and a huge new growth opportunity in the marketplace of today.

How would you call for help in an emergency?

Let me ask you a question. If you had an emergency, how would you call for help? Well, that would depend on where you were at the time.

Let’s say you were in your home, but you no longer had a landline phone. Well, like everyone else you would probably use your wireless phone. 

What would you do? What number would you dial? And when you reached someone, how would they know where you were calling from? Your location.

If you are in your home, you know the address. But what if you were not at home. How would you tell them exactly where you were, when you are out and when seconds matter?

Challenges faced by changing telecom industry with emergency services

These are just some of the challenges faced by the wireless and telecommunications industry today. 

Not only do we have landline networks, but we also have wireless networks, and the Internet which is used for VoIP telephone. Remember, broadband does not have the same kind of regulations for emergency services we are all familiar with. 

In addition, the marketplace is changing. Traditional landline telephone is declining. At the same time wireless and broadband are growing. And so are the different devices we use on a daily basis. 

This means the growth we saw with the landline networks over the past century is now over.

Going forward, we need to find new ways to connect us to emergency help no matter the device or the network we are using.

Carriers find it expensive and complex to provide emergency services

At the same time, carriers are finding this growing challenge to be both confusing, complex and unaffordable. 

Now, they must have multiple different emergency service networks and emergency centers for all their networks, devices and technology. 

With increased cost and complexity, carriers and device makers need help.

That means emergency services is a growth opportunity and challenge for every company.

An emergency services industry is forming that connects networks and carriers with smartphone, tablet, watch, computer and other device makers, all under the supervision of the FCC.

Some companies are still doing this on their own. Other companies are reaching out for help.

There are a growing variety of companies with different strengths in different areas working together to help service providers and device makers meet the FCC requirements and deadlines.

The FCC has laid out a timeframe of how and when each company must comply with these new emergency services mandates.

Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, C-Spire, US Cellular, CenturyLink and others

This requirement can often be overwhelming for companies like Verizon and Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T and AT&T Mobility, C-Spire Wireless, US Cellular, CenturyLink and other service provider competitors who offer wire line and wireless services. 

The challenge is spreading emergency services capabilities among a wider variety of devices on the wireless, broadband or telephone networks. This while customers are moving from old to new technology. 

Yet, at the same time these very same companies must give the user a way to reach emergency services when needed on any device. And for these services to find the caller. 

And these must all work similarly and simply, so the user can connect and get help. 

Apple, Google, Samsung, Viiz Communications for emergency services

Device makers like Apple with the iPhone, iPad and Watch, or Google Android, Samsung Galaxy and many others play a role in today’s new world. 

In fact, very recently, the Apple iPhone announced they were the first of this group to offer satellite connectivity for emergency services if the user is not in a wireless network.

There are plenty of other sectors as well like automotive, healthcare, retail and so much more which all have the same need for these services. 

Plus, companies like Viiz Communications help to manage this for companies, their products and services. 

They have almost completed their database for this FCC order. This will provide a needed service to players in the industry. 

So, you see this FCC order and mandate is actually a growth opportunity, not just a challenge. 

Automotive, healthcare, retail, travel and many other industries

The two challenges faced by every service provider with this FCC order are they must provide emergency services on an increasing number of devices and services, and they are often overwhelmed attempting to meet the growing requirements.

FCC ordered service providers to be pro-active with 9-1-1 Emergency

The FCC ordered every service provider to be pro-active with 9-1-1 emergency services. They are to be notified whenever there is a regional outage within their network area.

Every carrier needs to obtain, validate and verify every 9-1-1 emergency center on an annual basis. 

This is a big job, and the entire industry is working on bringing emergency services into the future.

Remember, there has always been a need for this service on which we all depend. With all the changing technology between networks and devices, it’s harder than ever before. 

So, the transformation of emergency services is both a challenge and a new growth opportunity. It all depends on how each company sees this next step as the telecom and wireless industry continues to grow.