E911 vs. Traditional 911 – How does it differentiate?

The numbers 9-1-1 are crucial for reaching out to emergency services in the United States and Canada. However, do not make the mistake of believing that E911 is the same as traditional 911.

E911, which is also known as Enhanced 911, automatically takes information about the caller, and then sends it back to the emergency dispatchers if you are in the USA goes directly to the local PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). Think of E911 as an advanced version of 911 that offers extra functionality.

In this article, we will discuss some of the differences between E911 and the traditional 911 emergency calling system.

E911 vs. Traditional 911

Traditional 911

In the traditional landline system, users had a fixed address associated with their phone number. Therefore, whenever the user dials 911, the call is sent to the nearest PSAP. And because the landline remains in the same location, callers' location was automatically determined. As a result, it was possible to send emergency personnel immediately to the location associated with the phone number.

However, with the surge of mobile phone popularity, the 911 emergency services system became inefficient. Mobile phones are meant to be portable, allowing the user to take it anywhere with them. Of course, there is an address associated with the number. But how will the call end up at the right PSAP while the user is on the move and requires the help of emergency services at another location?

It is possible to locate the device using GPS or radiolocation, but technology is not yet precise. Therefore, the system becomes inefficient when the user is incapacitated and not able to speak with the PSAP operator. Because the user cannot speak and the GPS cannot provide the precise location, various issues might arise. This is where E911 helps in overcoming this situation.

E911

As discussed, E911 is not a replacement for traditional 911. Instead, it is an enhanced version of 911. Whenever the VoIP user tries to connect with emergency services, the contact information, and the location details of the user get displayed on the PSAP operator's screen. As a result, the operator can immediately dispatch emergency personnel for help.

E911 is especially beneficial in cases where the user is not able to speak on the phone or when the user is unaware of the location they are at. Moreover, with E911, you can also assign location information to your number, even down to the wing or floor number of your building. This is not possible with traditional 911.

Because the emergency personnel knows your exact location, they can better assist you and provide help as soon as possible.

Final Toughts

While no one wants to find themselves using the emergency services, E911 will help you gain the required emergency service as quickly as possible. Since it offers a more accurate information on your location, thus allowing you to get access to emergency services in lesser time.

It is important, however, to always make sure to have your exact location up to date with your favorite E911 provider. For the nits and grits of VoIP.ms E911, check out this link: https://voip.ms/terms-of-service.