Wireless Unintentional 9-1-1 Calls – Carrier Response Status
NENA Issues Letter to Wireless Carriers–Unintentional Wireless Calls (Adobe PDF): On December 12th NENA issued a letter to wireless carriers asking them to take action to minimize unintentional 9-1-1 calls from wireless telephones. These calls have become a real problem for many PSAPs, often amounting to more than 50% of the wireless 9-1-1 calls received. Unintentional 9-1-1 calls typically occur when an auto-9-1-1 feature is unknowingly activated by pressure on either the 1 or 9 button. This feature is built into the set software, and can be deactivated. Carriers are asked to direct their set manufacturers to either remove this feature completely, or set it to ‘OFF’, as well as to see that their sales points verify the feature is OFF at delivery to the customer. Actions to inform current users are also requested. Carrier responses are summarized below, and will be updated as new information is received. These actions result from a work group led by Roger Hixson.