Wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 service

This type of wireless 9-1-1 service is provided in areas that receive Enhanced 9-1-1 service. To improve the safety and security of Canadians, the CRTC required wireless carriers to upgrade their 9-1-1 services to provide an enhanced capability to identify the location of wireless 9-1-1 callers. This is particularly important in emergency situations where the caller is unable to speak or cannot identify his or her location. This improved location capability is enabled by two technologies:

Global Positioning System (GPS) – or – Triangulation Capability

With Enhanced 9-1-1, wireless carriers use Global Positioning System (GPS) and/or Triangulation technology to identify a 9-1-1 caller’s location (generally within 50 to 300 meters of the cellphone). The emergency call and the caller’s location are automatically transmitted to a 9-1-1 call center serving that area.

Not all cellphones have GPS capability. To get more information on a cellphone’s capabilities, check your manual or ask your wireless service provider. GPS capability uses signals from satellites to determine a cellphone’s location.

If your cellphone does not have GPS capability, wireless carriers can also use triangulation technology, which locates the caller by measuring the cellphone signal’s distance from nearby cellphone towers.

The location information, as determined by either GPS and/or triangulation, will be provided to the 9-1-1 operator if you are using either a cellphone with pre-paid minutes or a wireless service plan. If you have a cellphone but are not subscribed to any service, you can still dial 9-1-1 in an emergency and receive basic wireless 9-1-1 service.

Please take into account the following tips when calling 911 using our service:  

• Always provide to the 911 Operator your phone number including area code in case you are in an area not equipped with wireless E911.
• If possible, always provide to the 911 Operator an alternate contact number to ensure you can be called back in case your initial call disconnects.
• Always provide to the 911 Operator your location or the location of the emergency.
• Always remain on the line as long as advised by the 911 Operator. If possible, do not disconnect the call unless otherwise advised by the 911 Operator.
• Avoid as much as possible placing unintended/accidental calls to 911.
• Update the address registered with us whenever it changes. In case of an emergency where the caller cannot speak or the call disconnects, the 911 Operator will dispatch assistance at the address registered with us.