The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking comment on proposed amendments to the Emergency Call Service Determination to improve the provision to emergency service organisations of location information from calls made to Triple Zero from mobiles.
“Locating callers quickly in times of need is obviously a crucial element of the Triple Zero emergency call service,” said ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman.
“In proposing amendments to the Determination, the ACMA wants emergency service organisations to have access to the most precise location information that the mobile networks have available and to benefit from developments in the location-based services offered by the mobile carriers.
“The new rules would apply in all situations where a Triple Zero caller is unable to report their location from a mobile phone - 24/7.”
Mobile phones now account for around 63% of calls made to Triple Zero. Unlike landline phones, and contrary to urban myth, emergency calls from mobile phones do not automatically give emergency operators accurate details about a caller’s whereabouts.
This is not an issue for the vast majority of mobile calls made to Triple Zero because, in most cases, the caller can tell the emergency operator where they are located. But there are times - estimated to be less than 1% of the calls - where people are too distressed or unfamiliar with their environment to report their location. It is in such instances where access to enhanced location information will clearly assist emergency service organisations locate callers.
Key changes proposed include new requirements on mobile carriers to:
- provide the most precise location information they have available on request from an emergency service organisation and, as a minimum, the reception or coverage areas of the radio cell from which the emergency call originates;
- resolve emergency call location queries with the highest possible priority and without delay;
- ensure emergency service organisations are provided with a designated contact point and telephone number for location queries, or have a specified process for location queries;
- assist an emergency service organisation to identify the relevant mobile network carrying the emergency call.
The ACMA views this work as an important step in continuing to improve the delivery of mobile location information to enhance the emergency call service, and is calling for public comment before finalising the proposed amendments. The closing date for submissions is Friday 3 December 2010.