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Earlier this year, Google ran tests to provide better location information for emergency calls. Today, the company has announced that the technology is available in the United States through new agreements with T-Mobile and RapidSOS.
Google's partnerships with RapidSOS and T-Mobile are separate and are intended to cover as many people as possible in the event of an emergency call. All Android users in an area covered by RapidSOS will see their location sent (RapidSOS is used in more than 1,000 emergency centers and covers more than 100 million Americans), regardless of their location. Operator, and any T-Mobile client will also have its Location Emergency Location Services (ELS) sent. These are routed through separate channels. Therefore, if a T-Mobile customer is also in an area covered by RapidSOS, both will send an ELS location to the emergency call center.
Google's ELS was first announced in 2016, but it has never been in the United States. The partnership with T-Mobile and RapidSOS is a big step forward. Under the current 911 system, wireless carriers are normally responsible for providing location information. Google stated that this year's tests showed that the use of ELS provided more accurate location data for approximately 80% of calls in the first 30 seconds and reduced the estimated radius of the caller's location from 522 at 121 feet.
Apple has announced a similar effort for iOS 12 earlier this summer. The new iOS provides automatic position sharing with first responders when dialing 911 from your iPhone.
ELS is supported on just about every Android device version 4.0 and above. No separate upgrade of the application or operating system is required to use it. The service is enabled when it is supported by your wireless service provider or your emergency infrastructure provider.
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