911 SMS service will be deployed next year

911 SMS service will be deployed next year (Alberta Times) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on the 7th that the four largest wireless communications companies in the United States...

911 SMS service will be deployed next year (Alberta Times) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on the 7th that the four largest wireless communication companies in the United States have agreed to launch a new service that allows customers to send text messages to the 911 emergency center for help when they are in danger. Currently, people can only call 911 for emergency help. This change will especially help people with hearing or speech impairments. The FCC said in a statement that AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile have agreed to provide 911 text messaging services and will deploy them in 2013. By May 1, 2014, the service will be nationwide. The four telecommunications companies promised to start 911 text message reply services before June 30, 2013. Users will receive an automatic "reply" message asking them to make a 911 voice call until the service is activated.