In a big step toward moving the nation’s emergency dispatch system out of voice-only technology that dates to the 1960s, four major wireless phone companies are now providing text-to-911 services to local governments that want it.
North Carolina is among the states where the program is being launched.
Sprint, AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile began offering the service to local governments this month and it’s being used in 16 states.
The FCC has required all wireless providers to offer it by the end of the year.
In addition to North Carolina, the other states are:
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Montana
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
