电话的911服务,还真是性命攸关的重要问题。传统固话的SS7系统,在这方面是有优势的;手机或者网络电话则有不同,需要认真了解。下面是CRTC的解释:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/t1035.htm
9-1-1 services for traditional wireline, VoIP and wireless phone services
Types of 9-1-1 service: Basic and Enhanced
Basic 9-1-1 service connects a 9-1-1 call to a call centre. The caller must identify his or her location to the 9-1-1 operator, who then connects the call to the emergency response centre serving that area.
Enhanced 9-1-1 service connects a 9-1-1 call to an emergency call centre and automatically provides the 9-1-1 operator with the phone number and address or location of the caller.
Either Basic or Enhanced 9-1-1 service is available to almost all subscribers in Canada. Most subscribers receive Enhanced 9-1-1 service, and Basic 9-1-1 is provided in Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon and the Northwest Territories, where the 9-1-1 call centres have not been upgraded to receive Enhanced 9-1-1 information. Where 9-1-1 service in not available, such as in Nunavut, emergency services are contacted using a normal telephone number.
9-1-1 services: Traditional wireline telephone, wireless and VoIP
The 9-1-1 service you receive depends on the type of telephone service you use to make the call, and whether you are in an area that has either Enhanced or Basic 9-1-1 service:
Traditional wireline telephone 9-1-1 service
With a traditional wireline service:
• you make or receive calls from a fixed address.
• you receive Enhanced 9-1-1 service, where the caller’s phone number and address are automatically provided to the 9-1-1 operator, except where Basic 9-1-1 service is provided.
• you can still make calls during power outages, because it doesn’t require power from within the home. However, cordless telephones do not work during power outages and therefore cannot be used to access 9-1-1 service in that situation.
Wireless 9-1-1 service
Wireless phones can be important safety tools, but because they are mobile, they aren’t associated with one fixed location or address. This mobility, however, makes it harder for both service providers and 9-1-1 operators to pinpoint the location of a 9-1-1 call.
There are two types of wireless emergency 9-1-1 services:
Wireless Basic 9-1-1 service
This type of wireless 9-1-1 service is provided in areas that receive Basic 9-1-1 service. When a wireless 9-1-1 call is made, the wireless carrier connects the emergency call to a 9-1-1 call centre that serves the area of the cell phone tower that the calling wireless handset is connected to.
Wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 service
This type of wireless 9-1-1 service is provided in areas that receive Enhanced 9-1-1 service. To improve the safety and security of Canadians, the CRTC required wireless carriers to upgrade their 9-1-1 services to provide an enhanced capability to identify the location of wireless 9-1-1 callers. This is particularly important in emergency situations where the caller is unable to speak or cannot identify his or her location. This improved location capability is enabled by two technologies:
Global Positioning System (GPS) or Triangulation Capability
With Enhanced 9-1-1, wireless carriers use Global Positioning System (GPS) or Triangulation technology to identify a 9-1-1 caller’s location (generally within 50 to 300 meters of the cell phone). The emergency call and the caller’s location are automatically transmitted to a 9-1-1 call centre serving that area.
Not all new cell phones have GPS capability. To get more information on a cell phone’s 9-1-1 service, check your manual or ask your wireless service provider. GPS capability uses signals from satellites to determine a cell phone’s location.
If your cell phone does not have GPS capability, wireless carriers can also use triangulation technology, which locates the caller by measuring the cell phone signal’s distance from nearby cell phone towers.
The location information, as determined by either GPS or triangulation, will be provided to the 9-1-1 operator if you are using either a cell phone with pre-paid minutes or a wireless service plan. If you have a cell phone but are not subscribed to any service, you can still dial 9-1-1 in an emergency and get basic wireless 9-1-1 service.
VoIP
The type of VoIP service determines the type of 9-1-1 service available to emergency callers using VoIP services.
Fixed VoIP service
With Fixed VoIP service, calls can only be made from a fixed address. A Fixed VoIP service is normally provided over a private communication network (such as your cable service provider at home) instead of over the Internet. Fixed VoIP service provides Enhanced 9-1-1 service equivalent to that provided by traditional wireline service, except where Basic 9-1-1 is provided.
Nomadic VoIP service
Nomadic VoIP service is provided over the Internet and lets callers access telephone services using any high-speed Internet connection from any location.
Nomadic VoIP service provides Basic 9-1-1 service because there is no fixed address to provide to 9-1-1 operators. The mobility of this service makes it very hard for both service providers and 9-1-1 operators to pinpoint the location of a 9-1-1 call.
VoIP service providers’ obligations
• All Local VoIP service providers must provide either Basic or Enhanced 9-1-1 service. (Telecom Decision CRTC 2005-21)
• Nomadic VoIP service providers must obtain express customer consent that the customer understands the limitations of their 9-1-1 service. (Telecom Decision CRTC2005-21)
• Nomadic VoIP service providers must notify subscribers about the availability, characteristics and limitations of their 9-1-1 service when the service starts and at least once a year thereafter. (Telecom Decision CRTC 2005-61)
Tips when making 9-1-1 emergency calls
• Tell the 9-1-1 operator the nature and location of the emergency right away.
• Give the operator your phone number, so if the call gets disconnected, the operator can call you back.
• Do not hang up, unless the 9-1-1 operator asks you to.
• If you get disconnected, call back.
Additional tips for VoIP
• Make sure your location information is up to date with your service provider. The operator may assume that you are at the last registered address if you are not able to speak during a 9-1-1 call.
• During a power (unless battery back-up is provided) or an Internet outage, VoIP services, including 9-1-1, will be unavailable.