Proposed wireless enhanced 9-1-1 deficient: IDC

Canadian public safety experts view Canada as “late in the game” in adopting new rules to implement wireless enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) services and there is a definitive need for regulators to play a stronger role in setting national wireless E9-1-1 policies and standards, reveals a new research study of E9-1-1 services in Canada, the US and Europe. Conducted by IDC Canada Ltd., the survey of Canadian first responders found a general consensus that Canada’s lag in adoption of E9-1-1 adoption and lack of accuracy standards will continue to impede the provision of effective location-based emergency dispatch services to wireless users by Canadian public safety bodies.First responders also recognized the need for the CRTC to take the lead in cooperating with municipalities in setting national wireless E9-1-1 policies and standards. “Effective implementation of wireless enhanced E9-1-1 services is of great concern to emergency service providers particularly with major international events, such as the 2010 Olympics, coming to Canada," said Lawrence Surtees, IDC Canada’s VP, communications research and principal analyst. "Canada is significantly lagging behind the U.S. as well as Europe in adopting wireless emergency service technology. This technology exists today and it is imperative that Canada's emergency call centres are well equipped to quickly and accurately pinpoint the location of a 9-1-1 cell phone caller." To obtain a copy of the research report, contact: Gillian McArdle, Naz Taylor, (416) 342-1813, (416) 342-1827, gillian.mcardle@mediaprofile.com, naz.taylor@mediaprofile.com

Proposed wireless enhanced 9-1-1 deficient: IDC

Brief | July 2, 2009

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