Next Generation 9-1-1:

A Game Changer

Roger Hixson

NENA Technical Issues Director

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NENA History30 years as a non-profit association for 9-1-

1

25 years of E9-1-1 and NG9-1-1 standards

7000+ members from public safety and the

9-1-1 industry

Focused on 9-1-1 systems and service

evolution

The only professional organization solely

focused on 9-1-1 policy, technology,

operations, and education issues

2

Why NG9-1-1?

~330 million connected wireless devices in

the U.S.

Population is approximately 313 million

Wireless-only households are on the rise

~32% of adults & 36% of children live in wireless-

only households

More than 98% of Americans have access to

3G or 4G servicesStatistics courtesy CTIA & MobileFuture

3

Why NG9-1-1? (cont’d)

Exponential increases in text messaging

More than 8 trillion texts sent last year

Up 1.1 trillion from the previous year

34 million Americans who are deaf or hard of

hearing rely on texting

Callers expect to be able to use `normal’

methods

for emergency communications: text, pictures,

video, even sensorsStatistics courtesy CTIA & MobileFuture

4

NENA & NG9-1-1

NG9-1-1 and features conceptualized in

2001

Began Requirements development in 2003

Began technical development in 2004

NENA is the primary standards development

organization for NG9-1-1

Completed many standards and documents

to date 5

What’s Driving NG9-1-1?

Newer technologies/services

Text, image, video, telematics, sensors,

subscriber info, emergency location info

Need to “mainstream” 9-1-1 technology

Improve survivability

Network resilience, virtual PSAPs

Improve interoperability and information

sharing 6

How NG9-1-1 is Different

Technology

IP Packet Based vs Circuit Switched

Interoperability

No longer a “local” service

Interoperates at county, region, state and

national levels

7

How NG9-1-1 is Different (cont’d)

Functionality

Replicates E9-1-1 capabilities

and

Adds new capabilities, direct control options

Wide ranging additional data options

GIS-based instead of tabular data for location

validation and routing control 

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How NG9-1-1 is Different (cont’d)

IP SIP based (all call handling is SIP based) Uses numerous IETF RTFs, such as ECRIT, INVITE,

REFER, BYE, PIDF-LO

Example functional areas:

Location Validation Function (GIS based)

SIP ingress and call routing control (ESRP with ECRF)

SIP delivery of call and data (multimedia supported)

Queries for wide range of added data9

All IP end-to-end - Timeframes

Improved services are timeframe interdependent

between carriers, other originating providers, and

NG9-1-1

Carriers IP interface

Carriers Multimedia ES

Public Safety

Internet Providers 10

Implement IMS

Implement MMES

Transition to NG9-1-1

IP based Multimedia ?

Now 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Soon after wide NG9-1-1 availability

NG9-1-1 Ecosystem

ESInet

NG9-1-1 Core Services

OriginatingNetworks

LIS

VoIP

Cellular

PSTN

Enterprise

BCF

ECRF

BCF

ESRP

ESInet

This diagram is simplified for illustrative purposes.

NG9-1-1PSAP

LegacySelectiveRouter

LegacyPSAP

Gateway

LegacyPSAPs

Legacy E9-1-1Networks

Legacy SRGateway

GISLVF

Next Generation 9-1-1GIS

GIS

GIS Data Management

SIF

PRF

Access Control

CIDB

System Logging

Discrepancies

BCF Admin

Legacy Network Gateway

The Nature of NG9-1-1

Designed to support interoperability

Designed with open standards

Designed for and enables open competition

Enables a transition to competitive service

provider environment

Necessitates regulatory (and legislative)

change13

NG9-1-1 Common Benefits

PSAPs and Responders

Text/IM to 9-1-1

Files to 9-1-1 , such as photos or video

clips

Streaming video

Telematics and sensor data

Additional Data available 14

NG9-1-1 PSAP BenefitsVirtual PSAP (geographically distributed)

NG9-1-1 controlled to individual or hosted CPE

Nomadic and/or mobile call taker workstations

Policy-based alternate routing with new options To alt PSAP, or spreading calls to multiple

PSAPs

Invoked directly within minutes by PSAPs

(online)

Additional Policy-based routing for: Language preference of caller Type of technology >IM, Sensor, Satellite phone

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NG9-1-1 Responder Benefits

Informative data to dispatch and field

responders

National standards for data interfaces

Adaptable for future needs

Text/IM via 9-1-1

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Next Generation 9-1-1Building Blocks

IP Network Infrastructure - ESInet

Interconnection / Interoperability / Security

NG9-1-1 Core Services (i3 Applications)

Management, Maintenance & Training Procedures

Public Education

Governance and Policy

How NG9-1-1 Operates

Similar to E9-1-1, core NG9-1-1 system is

established for use by multiple Counties

and PSAPs

Then PSAPs begin to utilize NG9-1-1,

depending on the PSAP capabilities (IP

interface, software, training, etc)

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NG9-1-1 Logical Links

Page 19

Functional Entities

PSTN

Internet and Other ESInet’s

SS7E-MF

SS7E-MF

SS7E-MF

CO/SR

CO/SR

CO/SR

LNG/LSRG - PIF

LNG/LSRG - PIF

SIP

SIP

SIP

ESRP – Emergency Services Routing Proxy

LIS – Location Information Server

BCF – Border Control Function

ECRF – Emergency Call Routing Function

GIS“ALI”

LPG

Legacy PSAP

TDM

NG PSAP

IP Host Host Client

IP

SIP SIP

SIP

SIP

LoSTLoSTHELDETC

LIF

NIF

ESInet

DB Mgmt- GIS- ALI- Policy Routing etc

The `i3’ specification describes the technical functions and interfaces

Call Flow – Legacy Wireless Example

ESINet

BorderControl

IncomingGateway

CallRouting

LocationSource

Call Delivery

Static

Native IP

VoIP (i2)Call

NG9-1-1PSAP

LegacyWireless

LegacyWireline

1) Caller dials 9-1-1

2) Location information for caller/device is retrieved

3) (optional) Initial routing instructions are retrieved

4) Call is sent to the security edge

5) The call passes security checks

6) The NG9-1-1 call routing system determines final routing instructions using GIS data and policy rules

7) If the PSAP is i3-capable, the call is routed directly to the PSAP

LegacyPSAP

PSAPGateway

ESInet

BorderControl

IncomingGateway

CallRouting

LocationSource

Call Delivery

Static

Native IP

VoIP (i2)Call

NG9-1-1PSAP

LegacyWireless

LegacyWireline

LegacyPSAP

PSAPGateway

Static

LocationInfo

Call Flow – IP Routing Example

How NG9-1-1 Operates

Core NG9-1-1 System

ECRF, ESRP, LVF, GIS, Policy Mgmt,

Process Mgmt

Wireline COs

Wireless MSCs

VoIP

County A and 17 PSAPs

County B and 5 PSAPs

County C and X PSAPs

Could be state or regional sets of Counties

Next is Multimedia

Installed first, then utilized by State, Region, or County PSAPs, others

Transitional LNGs and then IP interfaces

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PSAP Utilization of NG9-1-1

Multiple options depending on how each 9-

1-1 Authority proceeds, and individual PSAP

statusPSAP equipment IP or NG9-1-1 capable before core

NG9-1-1 is installed

PSAP equipment or software upgraded when core

NG9-1-1 is installed

Multiple PSAPs convert to common use of hosted

interface equipment

Some PSAPs use LPGs to interface to core NG9-1-1

system, operating temporarily as `legacy PSAPs’

Or any combination of above choices

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PSAPs and NG9-1-1PSAPs utilize core NG9-1-1 system features

as able

But, when core NG9-1-1 is in place, all PSAPs

are on NG9-1-1 whether each PSAP is NG9-1-

1 capable or not

The core, multi-county or state NG9-1-1

system is not deployed “PSAP by PSAP”

Training for PSAP personnel is critical, both

for calltaking and for data base management

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Operational Changes with core NG9-1-1

Using GIS data for validation and routing control

Transition wireless ESRK -> location conversion data

Using Policy Routing features to control alternate routing, overflow control, disaster management, and Virtual PSAPs (if utilized)

Accessing additional data not previously available

Likely need a central DB management group

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PSTN -> IP Telecomm

For emergency communications, support

customer needs as soon as possible

Understand and be prepared for the

transition, rather than just reacting to it

IP interface for 9-1-1, Multimedia capability

Push for priority standards development

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PSTN -> IP Telecomm

E9-1-1 must continue to be supported

during the national transition to NG9-1-1

Analog technology support (re E9-1-1) can

be retired over time = cost savings for

carriers and Public Safety

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Benefits of All IP end-to-end

Carrier customers able to fully utilize text and

multimedia for emergency communications

After transition, less carrier cost to support

emergency communications

IP end-to-end (caller to PSAP) enables more rapid

integration of carrier service features and

upgrades that enable or affect emergency

communications

others? 28

Discussion

NENA: The 9-1-1 Association

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Thank You!

NENA: The 9-1-1 Association

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Text to 9-1-1

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Carrier SMS National Interim Text to 9-1-1

Four forms of Text for emergency communication:

Vendor / Over The Top (OTT) offerings

Initial forms of Interim Text to 9-1-1

National SMS Interim Text – carrier based

Long Term Text integrated via NG9-1-1

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Vendor / Over The Top (OTT) offerings

non-carrier text approaches (often installed PSAP

by PSAP or County based), handled locally by

Public Safety

NENA Education Committee has generated a Guide

document on what Public Safety people need to

ask vendors when they are approached. 

a Q&A document was produced for App providers

to give them better knowledge of what 9-1-1

involves, re their design and communications with

potential Public Safety customers.

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Initial forms of Interim Text to 9-1-1

Intermediate trials of carrier involved text via

vendors, such as are going on in parts of Texas,

Tenn, Virginia, etc

Similarities to National SMS Interim Text

Some versions deliver text only to a remote web

server

May converge to the National SMS approach

Could continue as standalone methods in addition

to National approach34

Carrier SMS National Interim Text to 9-1-1

National SMS Interim Text – carrier based

Utilizes the ATIS/TIA Text Control Center (TCC)

standard

True national focused SMS Interim Text to 9-1-1, as

is being recommended to the FCC by the EAAC

Advisory group

National group working on establishing common

methods and procedures across all carriers and

TCC providers to meet May 15, 2014 service date 35

Carrier SMS National Interim Text to 9-1-1

Delivers text to the PSAP

Via one of several optional interfaces chosen `by

PSAP’

Using TTY, Internet, IP to local server, NG9-1-1

PSAP can automatically capture content and

logging info

It has been suggested that each PSAP can choose

when and if to take SMS Interim Text

Let’s talk about that……36

Long Term Text integrated via NG9-1-1

Will utilize IMS and MMES to interface to NG9-1-1

using IP

Designed to allow maximum PSAP operational

benefits

Ability to handle carrier based text end to end in

any given area depends on availability of IMS,

MMES, and fairly complete NG9-1-1 features

Ability to handle text from Internet service

providers depends on NG9-1-1 37

Text and 9-1-1

Any version could continue in parallel with national

SMS

Many of them have features beyond text

All PSAPs, or delegates, will need to accept

national SMS Text in order to provide consistent

service across the nation

Caller ability to effectively utilize emergency text

when needed requires common solution

nationwide, and NG9-1-1 as soon as possible38

Thank You!

NENA: The 9-1-1 Association

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