FCC Aims to Bring 911 Into the Modern Era

With a catchy title — “Broadband NextGen 911” — U.S. Federal Communications Commission and Department of Transportation officials want to bring emergency services into the age of technology with more than just a three-number telephone call. “Today’s 9-1-1 system doesn’t support the communication tools of tomorrow,” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said Tuesday. “If you find yourself in an emergency situation and want to send a text for help, you can pretty much text anyone except a 9-1-1 call center. That is unacceptable.”