Enhanced 911, or E911 is an FCC regulation that requires wireless carriers and VoIP systems to provide emergency services with a physical address and exact location for each of their customers. This way, in the event of an emergency, first responders know exactly where help is needed when callers dial 911 using a cell phone or cloud-based phone instead of a traditional landline.
In the early 2000s, when cell phones and VoIP calling exploded in popularity, callers could make and receive calls from any location. Though convenient, the increased emphasis on GPS data and network triangulation over fixed physical addresses meant traditional 911 services needed an update.
This article will detail what Enhanced 911 is, how this technology works, regulatory requirements for E911, and why your business needs it.
What Is Enhanced 911 (E911)?
Enhanced 911 (E911) is an updated version of the traditional 911 emergency response system that helps emergency services quickly and accurately locate people who call 911 using smartphones or internet-powered VoIP phone systems. Standard 911 relies on fixed addresses to determine the caller’s exact location, where E911 uses GPS technology and network-based triangulation to locate callers using cell phones or virtual phone systems.
E911 is designed to get emergency services the caller’s phone number and physical location. When someone calls 911 on their cellular device, E911 immediately relays information to dispatch centers to give emergency personnel the chance to reach the emergency swiftly. Recent advancements include focusing on better precision in complex environments like high-rise buildings, where personnel must know the caller’s exact floor level.
How Does Technology E911 Work?
E911 works by automatically sending emergency call centers essential information like the caller’s phone number and location. Mobile devices make E911 rely on GPS, cell tower triangulation, and nearby Wi-Fi access points to help pinpoint callers’ location. All of this data is sent to Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) where dispatchers direct first responders to the incident.
VoIP and 911
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services allow users to make calls over the internet instead of conventional phone lines, posing issues for E911. Unlike traditional landlines, VoIP phone systems are not physically installed onsite at an exact address, making it hard for first responders to find the caller’s location.
To mitigate these problems, VoIP providers are required to have users register a physical location when services are set up, which in turn is used by emergency responders should a 911 call be made. While newer technologies will enable real-time location tracking for better accuracy, a registered location is imperative as it provides emergency services a starting location.
Landlines and 911
Traditional landlines work simply with 911 calls, since each line is registered to a fixed address. When someone dials 911 from a landline, the existing system displays the caller’s address and phone number to the dispatcher. It is a reliable setup for households and businesses that stay in one location. Landlines may be less common due to the rise of mobile devices, but they remain great for emergencies because of their precise location and reliability.
Cell Phones and 911
Cell phones catalyzed the development and operation of E911 because of their portability and lack of ties to specific addresses. A caller making a 911 call from a cell phone forces E911 to derive location through different methods like cell tower triangulation, GPS, and Wi-Fi access points. Still, signal strength, nearby infrastructure, and phone settings can negatively impact E911’s accuracy. Modern improvements try to deliver both vertical and horizontal coordinates to help first responders find callers in dense urban zones or large buildings where speed is a critical asset to saving lives.
Regulatory Requirements for E911
The FCC imposes strict E911 regulations to ensure emergency calling reliability for VoIP providers. Two major laws–Kari’s Law and the RAY BAUM’s Act–incorporate core requirements for VoIP services and multi-line telephone systems (MLTS). Kari’s Law, signed in 2018, ensures anyone can directly dial 911 from an MLTS without an access code and mandates notification be sent to designated personnel when 911 calls are made. The RAY BAUM’s Act bolsters E911 mandates by requiring “dispatchable location” data, like floor numbers and street addresses, be sent to dispatches for fixed and mobile devices.
VoIP providers must meet these specific requirements to guarantee 911 calls get directly routed to emergency services with precise location data. When users move, user location registrations must be updated. Non-compliance with E911 regulations will lead to severe penalties from the FCC with fines up to $10,000 plus an additional $500 per day, per device each day of non-compliance.[*]
Why Your Business Needs E911
E911 services are key to businesses meeting legal and regulatory requirements, enhancing workplace safety, and protecting employees while providing coverage for remote workers.
Legal Compliance
E911 regulations are strictly enforced, and non-compliance can lead to significant penalties like fines–not to mention the potential loss of life. E911 compliance means adherence to regulations like Kari’s Law and the RAY BAUM’s Act which ensure MLTS and VoIP systems directly dial 911 and provide accurate location data.
Enhanced Safety
E911 boosts workplace safety by giving dispatchers precise location details–essential for places like multi-story buildings or large campuses. Dispatchable location data cuts emergency response times and saves lives. Investment in E911 shows employees and visitors a company’s commitment to safety and security. High-risk locations or industries must consider E911 integration.
Employee Protection
E911 is a vital tool to keep employees safe during medical emergencies, workplace violence, and other critical incidents. E911 allows businesses to provide first responders with the exact location of an emergency within buildings, even when callers cannot speak. Quick access to emergency services guarantees a safer workspace and reiterates to everyone involved that safety is a priority.
Remote Work Coverage
It’s predicted that roughly 22% of the workforce will be remote by 2025.[*] E911 has adapted to cover employees working from home or other remote locations. VoIP services accommodate workers’ needs to stay connected and accessible anywhere and anytime, but they need E911 functionalities to ensure locations are registered and updated as needed. Companies with dispersed teams must comply with E911 standards to keep all employees, regardless of their whereabouts, connected to emergency support.
