E911 Dynamic Location Routing

E911 stands for enhanced 911, and is an emergency connectivity system used in North America that ensures when you dial 911, your precise location information is shared with emergency responders. This lets public safety find you as quickly as possible and improve emergency outcomes.

Enhanced 911 is part of the 911 system that automatically ties your location to a 911 call—whether it’s a specific address, or geographical coordinates. In short, E911 are location services for 911 calls.

E911, or enhanced 911 calling, delivers emergency connectivity through traditional PSTN connectivity of cellular and landline networks. 

On the other hand, Next Generation (NG) 911 is a newer, Internet Protocol (IP) based system that can integrate more types of caller data and communication channels (like texting) to improve emergency responses. 

Any incoming 911 call is routed to one of the over 6,000 Public Safety Answer Point (PSAP) across the country. An emergency dispatcher working at a PSAP answers your call, and receives your exact location through the E911 software. Then, emergency services are sent to your location.

E911 services are required for 2-way consumer voice services such as Multi-Line Telephone Systems (MLTS) and all interconnected VoIP service providers. The FCC requires this for the safety of VoIP users and employees on communications platforms. Our E911 guide goes more in-depth on these requirements.

It’s also important to note that these regulations are often changing, so staying up to date with evolving requirements like Kari’s Law or the Ray Baum’s Act are critical for employee safety.

There’s no question that setting up E911 solutions can be difficult—but that’s why we’re here! Depending on your E911 provider, you’ll have different steps to manage emergency services.

For enterprises, it can be hard to work around evolving emergency laws and regulations, but Bandwidth’s experts make it simple with award-winning tools like Maestro and can answer any questions you have.

The E911 regulations established by the FCC are mandatory for all interconnected VoIP service providers. RAY BAUM’s Act and Kari’s Law are designed to protect the safety of VoIP users who expect that when they dial 911 from a communications platform or virtual phone, emergency responders know exactly where they are and offer emergency services quickly.

Kari’s Law states that your phone system must automatically notify the front desk, security office, or administrative personnel for every 911 call within your network. Learn more about Kari’s Law.