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<p> <br>
We've been hearing about <a
href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/fcc-details-plans-to-bring-texting-photos-and-video-to-911-serv/">new
capabilities for emergency 911 services</a> for years, but it
looks like the industry is ready to move as one to make
text-to-911 a reality across the US. The Big 4 wireless carriers,
as well as The 911 Association and the Association for
Public-Safety Communications Officials International has submitted
an agreement to the FCC that outlines plans to work together on
standards, procedures and technology deployments that will provide
a "seamless introduction" of the tech across the US.</p>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/verizon-atandt-sprint-and-t-mobile-agree-to-collectively-push-te/">http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/verizon-atandt-sprint-and-t-mobile-agree-to-collectively-push-te/</a>
<br>
<br>
They're not guaranteeing it will be available everywhere in two
years, but the specific signposts noted are support for bounce-back
notifications by June 30th, 2013 that tell texters when the service
isn't available in their area and a "commitment" to nationwide
rollouts by May 15th 2014. So far, <a
href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/06/att-tennessee-text-to-911-trials/">efforts</a>
to make your thumbs more useful in an emergency have been <a
href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/05/verizon-announces-text-to-911-service/">disjointed</a>,
but a concerted effort by industry giants should let you avoid busy
signals and <a
href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/22/verizon-dropped-10-000-emergency-calls-during-january-snowstorm/">dropped
calls at the worst possible time</a> sooner rather than later.
Check out a press release from the group, as well as a word from the
FCC, which will consider the proposal on December 12th, after the
break or the agreement itself in PDF form at the source link.<br>
<br>
More of the article at the engadget link.<br>
<br>
<br>
Ken<br>
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