Enhanced 911 (E911) Customer Communication
Background
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established Enhanced 911 (E911) rules and requirements for wireless providers. The purpose of these rules is to improve the effectiveness of wireless 911 service by providing 911 dispatchers with additional information regarding wireless 911 calls. This additional information could literally mean the difference between life and death.
The rules and requirements set up by the FCC apply to all wireless carriers. It is not unique to Cellcom, but rather affects the entire industry. As a result of these rulings, all phones activated on the Cellcom network must be E911 capable.
The FCC's mandate for wireless carriers to maintain analog service expired in February 2008. Therefore, as of March 1, 2008, Cellcom has retired its analog network and will no longer provide analog service to its users.
Benefits of Digital and E911
- Digital phones are more technologically advanced than analog phones.
- More features such as short messaging, message waiting indicators, data services, etc.
- Longer battery life.
- Smaller, more mobile handsets.
- Superior digital voice quality.
- Wireless carriers are making little to no investment in analog infrastructure and eventually analog service will deteriorate.
- Once the PSAP's have implemented E911 system changes and customers have E911 capable phones, a call received by a 911 dispatch operator will result in the caller's location being passed to the operator. This additional information will help ensure your safety. At this time Wisconsin PSAP's are quickly updating their systems to be able to receive this information.
- The entire wireless industry must comply with the FCC requirements. For more information regarding E911, please click here to go to the FCC's website.