What is Enhanced 9-1-1?
Like regular 911, E911 gives you the ability to contact emergency services from your cellular device. When you dial 9-1-1 on your Wightman Mobility device, your call is routed to the 9-1-1 emergency operator for your area.
There are two phases of Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) service.
Phase one provides 9-1-1 operators with your cellular number, area code and approximate location. The operator will know the location of the cellular tower handling your call. Phase one is currently available in most areas with 9-1-1 service. Phase two allows for 9-1-1 operators to more accurately locate a phase two-ready mobile device. E9-1-1 phase two service is available in most Wightman Mobility coverage areas in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Check your local telephone book for emergency services telephone numbers. You can also contact local emergency operators to find out about the availability of 9-1-1 services in your area. Do not dial 9-1-1 for this information.
In areas where phase two is available, your location is provided to emergency operators when you dial 9-1-1.
Wightman Mobility devices support both GPS and cell-site triangulation. When you dial 9-1-1 in areas where E9-1-1 phase two is available, the location system automatically selects the best method to determine your location. GPS uses radio signals from satellites to calculate the mobile device’s location (similar to car navigation systems.) GPS radio signals may be affected by weak signals, in covered areas or underground areas. Cell-site triangulation uses radio signals from cell towers to calculate the cellular device’s location. This method may be affected by weak signals in covered areas or underground locations. It may also be limited in areas served by fewer than three cell towers (e.g. in remote rural areas).
Dialing 9-1-1 using VoIP apps
We recommend that Wightman Mobility customers avoid using VoIP apps on their cell phone for 9-1-1 dialing.
Limitations
Remember that calls to 9-1-1 services (like any calls from a mobile device) are affected by the signal strength in your location. For example, your call to 9-1-1 may be affected if you make it from a covered underground location.
Access to E9-1-1 services is included in your Wightman Mobility monthly rate plan. However, in some provinces, an additional fee is charged as requested by the provincial government. Note: Province-wide 9-1-1 service is not available in Newfoundland and Labrador.
9-1-1 Tips
- Always give the operator the cellular number you’re calling from, including area code, in case you’re in an area that is not equipped with wireless E9-1-1
- Tell the operator your location or location of the emergency
- Stay on the line with the operator (customers are not billed for airtime for 9-1-1 calls)
- Do not hang up until told to do so and leave your phone turned on after hanging up in case the operator needs to call you back
- Do not program 9-1-1 on your cell phone to help reduce the chance of unintended accidental calls to 9-1-1 service.