The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to adopt rules that will require U.S. wireless carriers to implement technology that will speed localized response to 988-related emergencies.
Detailed in a Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in mid-October, the new rules require wireless carriers to adopt georouting technology that will automatically route 988 calls to the nearest 988 call centers operating under the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline prevention system. The 988 system operates nationwide to provide those dealing with severe mental health issues with immediate access to trained professionals who can quickly connect them with the services and support that they need.
Until now, emergency calls made from mobile phones have been routed to emergency service providers based on the area code of the number assigned to the phone instead of relying on the more locationally-accurate georouting technology.
The new georouting requirements will likely take effect before the end of 2024, providing nationwide wireless carriers with 30 days to adopt georouting technology for 988 calls. Smaller, non-nationwide carriers would have up to 24 months to implement the change.
The Third Report and Order issued by the FCC detailing the new georouting requirement for wireless carriers is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-111A1.pdf.
