Cutting-edge technology launched in Texas Emergency Communications Center giving
customers new option to text for emergency help
BELLEVUE, Wash. and CHICAGO, Nov. 1, 2022
/PRNewswire/ -- With a vast majority of the estimated 240 million
911 calls made in the U.S each year coming from a wireless
device, fast and reliable connectivity in an emergency matters.
T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) has been at the forefront of
industry-leading innovative public safety connectivity solutions
like Location-Based routing and Next Generation 911 because every
second counts and instant communication with 911 telecommunicators
can save lives. And now that leadership continues as the Un-carrier
partners with Sinch, the leading cloud communications platform
solutions provider, to launch another important first: NextGen 911
Real-Time Text (RTT).
This first-ever NextGen 911 RTT technology is now operating at
an Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in Hood County, Texas, allowing T-Mobile
customers to communicate with 911 through simultaneous
conversational text and voice – text messages can be sent and read
at the same time – without the need for teletype (TTY)
technology. This is particularly critical for up to 48 million
Americans who are Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those
who have speech-related disabilities or are non-native English
speakers. RTT also gives public safety centers the ability to make
better-informed dispatch decisions during a crisis and shave
crucial time off a response.
T-Mobile built native RTT features into its devices in 2016,
which gives customers the ability to utilize modern conversational
text capabilities and allows a text to be sent and read at the same
time without the need to hit send or use a specialized device. Then
in 2020, the Un-carrier became the first wireless provider to
launch Location-Based Routing and Next Generation 911 (NG911)
connectivity over IP – two critical advancements that can speed up
emergency response times by helping pinpoint the location of
callers and enable a more efficient and effective 911 system. These
advancements paved the way for fully enabling NextGen 911 RTT for
911 callers in Hood County, Texas
– and eventually beyond.
Now, as public safety answering points (PSAPs) across the U.S.
are ready, they can update TTY to more modern systems to help
reduce inaccuracies and improve emergency response. T-Mobile's
advanced network with end-to-end IP connectivity and Sinch's public
safety-grade connectivity provide the foundation for NG911
capabilities, available in 24 States, with plans to expand RTT
nationwide as public safety answering points (PSAPs) prepare to
deploy the new technology.
"RTT 911 provides an enhanced service to our community including
Deaf, hearing or speech impaired individuals as well as those who
want to use RTT," said Christy
Williams, director of 911, North
Central Texas Emergency Communications. "We appreciate the
support of T-Mobile, Sinch, and Solacom as well as our ECCs and
staff in implementing production operational practices. We hope
carriers and PSAPs around the country become RTT ready to improve
public safety."
"T-Mobile's advanced LTE network and nationwide 5G network
enables game changing technologies like this industry-leading
NextGen 911 RTT that will help people and public safety centers
communicate more quickly and more clearly in a crisis – and
ultimately save lives," said Neville
Ray, president of Technology at T-Mobile. "As the Un-carrier
we're always committed to solving pain points and creating better
experiences – never more important than when it comes to ensuring
customers and public safety centers have dependable connections in
emergencies."
"Real-time texting is an important advancement because it allows
the requestor and receiver to type at the same time and saves
precious seconds, which are critical to successfully managing
emergency calls and protecting the community," said Chandy
Ghosh, general manager and chief operating officer of emergency
services at Sinch. "The extensive collaboration we achieved working
with T-Mobile helped in delivering potent next generation
capabilities to increase the accuracy of information relayed to
PSAPs and first responders. It also creates a clear path to NG911
for other public safety jurisdictions."
About T-Mobile US, Inc.
T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America's supercharged
Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative
nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for
all. T-Mobile's customers benefit from its unmatched combination of
value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best
possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption
that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile
provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its
flagship brands, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile. For more
information please visit: www.t-mobile.com.
About Sinch
Sinch's leading cloud communications platform lets businesses
reach everyone on the planet, in seconds or less, through mobile
messaging, email, voice and video. More than 150,000 businesses,
including many of the world's largest companies and mobile
operators, use Sinch's advanced technology platform to engage with
their customers. Sinch has been profitable and fast-growing since
its foundation in 2008. It is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has local presence in
more than 50 countries. Shares are traded at NASDAQ Stockholm:
XSTO:SINCH. Visit us at sinch.com.
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SOURCE Sinch