Selecting an E911 Provider

You have choice in E911 providers. What are the important features and functionalities to consider in your selection?:

• Support of all emerging technologies
• Customization
• Start-up and maintenance costs; TCO
• Automation and accuracy
• Ease of integration
• Speed to deployment (time to revenue)
• Coverage and connectivity options
• Customer care

Below are some important questions to ask your potential E911 provider as you move through the selection process.

Can you deliver location information from any device?

The primary objective of Next Generation 911 is to enable E911 calls from any communications device. Your potential provider should be capable of accommodating all of today’s technologies, including voice, text, data, image, and video.

Can you support all communication types on a single platform?

Not only does this efficient design facilitate the Next Generation goals, because it is so cost-effective, that savings should be reflected in the provider’s pricing (and passed on to you).

Can you make dynamic routing decisions at the time of the call, based on the most up-to-date, automated PSAP boundary and caller location information updates?

This is important from a Next Generation perspective because dynamic routing improves the safety of your end-users, as the route is based on real-time location updates (not a manually updated, pre-programmed decision).

Can you provide E911 to any PSAP, if the PSAP is E911 capable?

Your potential provider should be able to discuss with you a variety of PSAP connectivity options to maximize E911 availability. Even if the PSAP is not currently E911 connected with the provider, good 911 providers will have a process for working with the PSAP to try to turn up service, should you need it. For full accommodation of your potential market growth, make sure your provider can cover 100% of the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico with 911.

How does your network help me reduce capital spend and direct and indirect costs?

Upgrading your infrastructure does not require costly hardware-based capital investments or the operational headache of forklift upgrades.  Instead, your potential E911 provider should be able to upgrade your network quickly and painlessly, using software-based, IP technology, leveraging the infrastructure they already have built out.  

Also, IP-based infrastructure equates to less operating cost and greater efficiencies, ongoing. Your provider should be able to save you up to 20% off of your current monthly 911 costs. Challenge them to do so.

Can you provide additional information with a 911 call (i.e. medical records, emergency contact information, etc)?

Another goal of Next Generation 911 is to be able to provide more than just location information to the PSAP, including medical records, as requested by the subscriber. Similarly, subscribers may be able to put in emergency contact information, so that if they call 911 a friend or relative will be notified.

Ask dash these critical questions: contact us.