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Legacy 911 systems, while foundational to emergency response, are increasingly showing their age in a world where technology has far outpaced their meager capabilities. The systems rely on outdated analog infrastructure, creating not only a financial disadvantage but a technical drawback when compared to the robust, modern networks that NG911 has delivered. The limitations currently being experienced by legacy agencies include high network and system maintenance costs and their constant need for repair, the lack of flexibility making it more difficult to deliver critical services as conditions evolve, and the ever-present vulnerability to failures from cyber-security attacks, also severely impacting the ability to deliver emergency services to constituents.
Financial and Technical Disadvantages of Legacy Systems:
Legacy 911 systems are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain. As the infrastructure hardware ages, maintenance costs increase due to the lack of spare parts and knowledgeable service individuals. The systems also lack the scalability and flexibility needed to adapt to new technologies, rendering them to the ‘boat-anchor’ phase of their lifecycle. At some point, systems become ill-suited for upgrade.
How NG911 Networks Will Transform Emergency Communications:
- Cost Reduction: NG911 will reduce operating costs by transitioning from expensive, maintenance-heavy analog systems to more efficient, IP-based networks. These modern networks are built from commonly available off-the-shelf hardware, often more accessible to update and expand; this ensures a much longer-term lifespan and financial sustainability.
- Increased Resiliency: NG911 incorporates resiliency by design. Unlike legacy systems, which are typically ridden with single points of failure, NG911 networks can reroute traffic automatically during system and component failures. This ensures that emergency services remain available even in the face of unexpected disruptions, delivering higher overall availability. This capability is critical because, in the world of emergency communications, it’s not a matter of if a failure will occur but when. NG911’s inherent rerouting capabilities greatly minimize the impact of such failures, safeguarding service continuity for constituents.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Similar to the broad connectivity that the Internet offers, NG911 networks enable seamless connectivity with all neighboring agencies, allowing for more coordinated and effective emergency responses. This connectivity also extends to other critical infrastructure, ensuring that information flows smoothly across all levels of response, from local to national and quasi-public services such as utility companies and private medical service companies.
- Critical Rerouting Capabilities: One of the most significant advantages of NG911 is its ability to automatically respond to outages and reroute emergency communications in real time. When failures occur—whether due to natural disasters, technical issues, or cyberattacks—NG911 can automatically redirect calls and data to alternative paths, ensuring that no call for help goes unanswered. This not only improves the network’s resiliency but also enhances public trust in emergency services.
But MY PSAP isn’t NG911 yet? Should Enterprises STILL move forward?
YES. When a local PSAP is not yet NG911-enabled, enterprises can still implement an NG911 solution through an NG911 carrier. Carriers such as Bandwidth, used by the 911inform solution, bridge the gap between the enterprise’s NG911 system and the legacy 911 network. NG911 carriers are able to convert IP-based NG911 communications into legacy E911 formats compatible with the legacy 911 systems if that is what is currently in use by the PSAP. This ensures that emergency calls and data from the enterprise can still reach the PSAP with the maximum efficiency possible. In contrast, the enterprise remains prepared for future upgrades to full NG911 functionality as local infrastructure evolves, and no longer needs to track and coordinate the upgrade.
The overall PSAP transition to NG911 is not just an upgrade; it’s a necessary evolution that addresses the critical shortcomings of the legacy 911 system networks. By reducing costs, increasing resiliency, and enhancing connectivity, NG911 networks are poised to transform how emergency services are delivered, ensuring that communities are better protected and that no call for help is ever left unheard. As ECCs and PSAPs prepare for this transition, they are laying the groundwork for a future where emergency communications are more reliable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the public.
For more information on how NG911 is shaping the future of emergency response, refer to the CISA NG911 Transition Fact Sheet, and for a complete live demonstration of Enterprise NG911 solutions that provide Kari’s Law, RAY BAUM’S Act, and Alyssa’s Law compliance TODAY, and are ready to send NG911 data and information into the Bandwith NG911 network, visit us online at 911inform.com, or call 1-833-333-1911 and speak to one of our qualified systems engineers to see how NG911 can increase your level of compliance while reducing your overall costs.
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