Just this week, Apple has announced that it will be leveraging the tech from startup RapidSOS in order to information location transmitted to first responders whenever iOS mobile users dial 911 for emergency assistance. This latest development is significant, mainly due to the fact that over 80 percent of 911 calls are now made through mobile devices, as opposed to landline phones.
Since the 2000s, various wireless carriers have been working to meet the E911 requirements set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These requirements were implemented in order to send the locations of mobile users to PSAPs (public safety answering points), where emergency call operators are on standby. However, the type of location data being sent by today’s wireless service providers (like Verizon Wireless and AT&T) still can be improved.
This is where Apple and RapidSOS come in -- according to the official press release, the FCC currently requires mobile operators to locate callers to within 50 meters at least 80 percent of the time by the year 2021. Apple is now claiming that it can do better than this requirement, even in dense places like urban areas. And instead of waiting for 2021 to arrive, Apple can make this capability available to local 911 centers now, via the upcoming release of iOS 12, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system.
Of course, the tech giant accomplished this through RapidSOS’ NG911 Clearinghouse, which gathers location information above and beyond the E911 requirements set by the FCC. On top of that, the clearinghouse delivers that location info to PSAPs (free of charge) through a data format that can easily be used. In its own blog, RapidSOS has pointed out that public safety agencies across 35 states in America have already completed the integration and are now getting location data from the startup’s NG911 Clearinghouse. This development is extremely helpful to some PSAPs, especially those in rural areas. These 911 centers do not often have access to the latest telecoms or wireless technology, but with the clearinghouse supplying data for free, these centers can do their jobs much better without having to spend.
The great thing about the joint effort by Apple and RapidSOS is that the location sharing remains private and secure. According to Apple, user data will be used for emergency purposes only. Moreover, only the responding 911 center gets to gain access to the user’s location information during an emergency call.
For more information about the partnership between Apple and RapidSOS, visit this web page right now.
