For more than 30 years, BellSouth has served our communities by helping to manage and administer the communications technology needed for emergency 911 service. We are proud of this history of public service, and it is a function we plan to continue.

Emergency 911 service has come a long way since its beginning. The most significant change was the introduction of Enhanced 911, which allowed caller location information to be sent directly to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The result was greater speed, accuracy and efficiency in 911 response. This isn't the last modification we'll see. As our telephone habits continue to change, so too will 911 service.

As Americans increasingly rely on wireless phones, they are depending on wireless 911 service more and more. In fact, it is estimated we place more than 100,000 wireless calls to 911 a day. Making sure emergency responders are equipped with the necessary information for a quick response presents a challenge.

In 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued order 94-102, Ensuring Wireless Compatibility with Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling Systems, which outlined a plan by which the PSAPs would receive accurate location information from all wireless 911 calls.

This order requires technology and extensive coordination between local governments, wireless service providers and BellSouth. This resource Web site provides an overview of how Enhanced 911 service works and what role BellSouth plays in making it happen.