AT&T on Tuesday announced the launch of its new location-based routing to automatically transmit wireless 9-1-1 calls to the appropriate 9-1-1 call centers on a nationwide basis. AT&T can quickly and more accurately identify where a wireless 9-1-1 call is coming from using device GPS and hybrid information to route the call to the correct 9-1-1 call center, also known as public safety answering point or PSAP.
AT&T says that this new location-based routing initiative, launched in partnership with Intrado, is the first-ever of its kind. The carrier says that the “Locate Before Route” feature will allow AT&T to identify where a 911 call is coming from within 50 meters of a device’s location.
Today, 68% of adults don’t have a landline in their homes. When the first 9-1-1 systems were established over 50 years ago, communication technology was drastically different, as landline phones dominated the market. Now, 80% of 9-1-1 calls come from a mobile device.