Verizon plows ahead on text-to-911, while AT&T 'resets' testing schedule

Verizon Wireless, Sprint, AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile US said they all continue to make progress in deploying services that will allow wireless customers to send text messages to 911 operators in place of voice calls. Of those three carriers, Verizon appears to be the furthest along in its efforts to launch the service by a May 15, 2014, deadline.

Specifically, Verizon in a report to the Federal Communications Commission said it plans to offer 911 call centers the choice of three text-to-911 options, two of which are already available and the third targeted for launch in the first quarter of 2014. Verizon said it is working with its Text Control Center vendor, Telecommunication Systems, to offer the three text-to-911 options: SMS using a Web browser client and SMS to TTY, both of which are currently available, and SMS over Direct IP. Verizon said the launch of the SMS over Direct IP capability was delayed from late 2013 to the first quarter of 2014. Verizon said that so far 46 different jurisdictions are using one of its text-to-911 options, up from 37 in October 2013, and several additional deployments are currently scheduled through early 2014. That Verizon appears further along in the process than other carriers doesn't come as a surprise. Verizon had pushed for a nationwide text-to-911 capability long before the FCC announced the May 15, 2014, deadline for the service. Indeed, Verizon first launched a commercial text-to-911 service in September 2012.