The four major mobile operators in the US will deploy Text-to-911 capacities on their networks in 2014 under an agreement signed with NENA - The 911 Association and the Association for Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO). The agreement by Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile USA was submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is scheduled to discuss the issue and consider further action at its upcoming meeting on 12 December. The agreement does not mean that text-to-911 service will be available to all consumers by 2014; that will hinge on the deployment of hardware, software and training at the more than 6,000 911 centres across the US. Text-to-911 capacities are especially sought by people in the hearing and speech disabilities communities. Under the agreement, the parties will work together and with all stakeholders from industry, government, public safety, and consumer groups to develop the technical standards and operational procedures that will ensure a introduction of texting into 911 centres. Text-to-911 service capacities will be deployed throughout the carriers' mobile networks by 15 May 2014. Bounce-back notifications will be sent to subscribers by 30 June 2013 when text-to-911 is unavailable in their area, and Text-to-911 progress reports will be submitted quarterly by the carriers to NENA and APCO. The agreement also includes a commitment by all parties to educate the public about how and when they can send texts to 911.
