Bell Atlantic Offers New 9-1-1 System Enhancements in Rhode Island

Bell Atlantic Offers New 9-1-1 System Enhancement in Rhode Island

Rescuers Can Now Pinpoint Emergency Locations on Widespread Campuses and in Large Businesses

May 27, 1998

PROVIDENCE -- Critical seconds can be saved in an emergency thanks to a new enhancement to 9-1-1 systems now available from Bell Atlantic in Rhode Island.

The enhancement, known as Private Switch/Automatic Location Identification, provides emergency operators with the precise location of callers in large office and government buildings, hotels, hospitals and residential complexes or on large college and university campuses.

Without the automatic location identification, emergency operators may see only the street address of a main building when callers dial 9-1-1 from a telephone served by a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), Centrex, or other multi-lined telephone system. So, emergency personnel may spend precious time searching for the precise location of the emergency. That few minutes delay could mean the difference between a rescue or tragedy.

"Since the 1970s, 9-1-1 service has provided the public with a quick connection to emergency services," said Bob Jacobs, Bell Atlantic product manager. "Since then, enhanced 9-1-1 systems have evolved to help emergency personnel see the residential and small business addresses of the persons calling. With this latest improvement, rescuers will be able to find the exact location of emergencies in locations with multi-line telephone systems, such as college dorms."

Private Switch/Automatic Location Identification is based on software which enables organizations to maintain specific location information in the E9-1-1 database for each telephone number on its phone system. The organization that subscribes to the service is responsible for inputting all the necessary telephone numbers, location information and updates.

"Private Switch/Automatic Location Identification gives PBX and Centrex users direct, secure access to Bell Atlantic's E9-1-1 data base. Customers merely sit at their PCs and input the specific location information into our system," Jacobs said. "The intelligence of the system automatically triggers location information as soon as emergency personnel receive a call for help."

One of the advantages of this 9-1-1 enhancement is its flexibility. With workers and residents moving all the time, subscribers can make changes at any time.

Monthly and non-recurring charges apply. Non-recurring charges include $3,500 for set-up and access and $485 per trunk (minimum of two) for network trunk installation. Recurring monthly charges include $10 per 100 records on file for database maintenance and management; $46 per network access trunk (minimum of 2). Trunk rates are subject to state tariffs.

With additional hardware and software, on-premises security personnel also can receive simultaneous emergency notification when callers dial 9-1- 1.

PBX, Centrex or multi-line telephone system users can get additional information on the new Private Switch/Automatic Location Identification by contacting their Bell Atlantic account representative.

Bell Atlantic -- formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX -- is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines and 6.7 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 22 countries.