Locating 911 cell phone callers still a hurdle

In a demonstration Friday in Alexandria Virginia, on how the police can pinpoint the location of someone dialing 911 for help with their cell phone, a database problem created a snafu and showed just how difficult a feat it is, though the city and mobile operator had upgraded their facilities and services to a second phase of 911 technology, where the call center receives the longitude and latitude of the caller.

Alexandria is one of the first towns in the Washington area to demonstrate the more precise technology, according to USA Today. Others plan to introduce it, but it is moving slowly due to budget and technical hurdles. The wireless industry estimates about 156,000 calls are made daily to 911 from mobile telephones.

emily | 12:21 AM | Localisation |
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