On December 20, 2013, Charlotte County 9-1-1 phone system officially advanced to a native IP system. (end to end Internet Protocol) This is one of several steps necessary for Charlotte County 9-1-1 to continue paving the path towards what is known in the industry as NG911. (Next Generation 9-1-1) One of the many features in NG911 technologies is texting to 9-1-1 through a 9-1-1 network. Texting along with other features of NG911 may require significant changes in the infrastructure depending on the county. Counties in the state of Florida vary in infrastructure with some being slightly more advanced and will be capable of receiving SMS text messages through the network when the cell phone carriers are capable of providing these services.
Charlotte County 9-1-1 is now the second in the country to be receiving 9-1-1 calls from an IP network provided by Intrado, Inc and being received through the customer premise equipment, Sentinel Patriot by Cassidian Communications. While there are other agencies in the nation that are capable of receiving an IP 9-1-1 call through an IP network and being delivered to an IP telephone system, Charlotte County is the 2nd to have this technology from end to end through Intrado, Inc. and Cassidian Communications collectively.
While this was a big step in the process for Charlotte County, the advancements continue. New computers and upgraded software will be required and even then, the cellular companies must be able to deliver the call to the 9-1-1 network. So don’t start texting just yet. It’s not ready and when it does become available, please keep in mind that the best and recommended method of communication will always be the voice call whenever possible.
Please continue to view this site for information on further advancements in the Charlotte County 9-1-1 System.