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Privacy and Security
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Wireless enhanced 911 (E911) services

Newer technologies have made it easier to locate a person using a cellphone to make a 911 emergency call. This is particularly important in emergency situations where the caller is unable to speak or cannot identify his or her location.

To enhance the safety and security of Canadians, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission required wireless service providers to upgrade their 911 services by February 1, 2010, at the latest.

How do wireless 911 services work?

Wireless service providers link 911 emergency calls from the nearest cellphone tower to one of the networks operated by the landline telecommunications companies. These companies are responsible for connecting the call to a 911 call centre that serves a specific geographic area and whose operators dispatch police, fire or ambulance personnel.

The new enhanced features make use of wireless-location technologies to greatly improve the ability of emergency responders to locate a person using a cellphone to call 911. Wireless service providers use the Global Positioning System (GPS) or triangulation technology and then automatically transmit the caller’s location to the call centre operator. This allows emergency responders to determine a caller’s location generally within a radius of 10 to 300 metres from the cellphone.

Are all cellphones equipped with GPS capability?

No.

What if my cellphone does not have GPS capability?

Wireless service providers that do not possess GPS capability will rely on triangulation technology. This technology determines the caller’s location by measuring the cellphone signal’s distance from the nearest tower. Although it does not require the cellphone to have GPS capability, triangulation technology will provide emergency responders with a similar degree of accuracy.

For wireless service providers that are only using GPS wireless-location technology, subscribers will need to purchase a cellphone that has this capability in order to benefit from the new E911 features. However, subscribers who have cellphones without GPS capability will continue to receive the same 911 service as before.

Are wireless 911 services available across Canada?

Wireless 911 is available wherever municipal and provincial authorities have set up a 911 call centre. The 911 call centres, which are also known as public safety answering points, are managed and funded by municipal and/or provincial authorities.

Are wireless E911 services available across Canada?

Of the 130 call centres that can support the enhanced wireless 911 services, 121 will be operational as of February 1, 2010. The 9 remaining call centres should be operational shortly. The wireless industry and the public safety community are working together to resolve technical issues. Some areas are still only providing conventional 911 services, for example in Newfoundland, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. You should contact your wireless services provider or your municipality to learn more about the 911 services that are provided in your area.

Will this work on my pre-paid phone?

Yes. The location identification information will be provided to the 911 call taker if you are using either a prepaid or postpaid service.

What if I have a cellphone but do not subscribe to any service?

Even if you do not have any pre-paid minutes or a service plan, you will still be able to dial 911 in an emergency situation. However, you will receive wireless 911 services as they exist today. Emergency responders will not be able to use the enhanced features to determine your location with a greater degree of accuracy.