AT&T selected for Arkansas 911 next generation service

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by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) August 24, 2021 7:57 pm 781 views 

The Arkansas 911 Board has selected AT&T to implement its “Next Generation 9-1-1 service” to improve emergency communications across the state.

The state’s 114 public safety answering points (PSAPs) handle more than 1.6 million 9-1-1 calls each year. The contract is valued at about $28 million over the next seven years.

Some aspects of the new service include:

  • Improved location-based services. Using location-based geospatial routing, when a person contacts 9-1-1, their location can be identified quickly and routed to the appropriate PSAP for improved response times.
  • Ability to handle unexpected call volumes. National Emergency Number Association (NENA) i3 standards to enable interoperability among agencies to handle call overflow and disaster recovery scenarios.
  • Highly secure solutions. Multilayered secure network with Multiprotocol Label Switching VPN encryption to protect voice and data privacy and to help prevent cyber attacks.
  • Enhanced backup capabilities. Through policy-based routing, AT&T can provide PSAPs the ability to set up rules to route 9-1-1 calls and texts to alternate agencies, establish special event routing and prepare for disaster scenarios.
  • Enablement of data sharing. Calls can be transferred between PSAPs and will include location information and other critical data along with the call allowing telecommunicators to act faster by having pertinent information on hand when the call arrives.

“Over the past 15 years, the legacy 9-1-1 infrastructure in Arkansas has been pushed to its limits as communications technology has advanced around it. With the implementation of ESInet & NextGen Core Services, the reliability and resiliency of 9-1-1 will be greatly improved with more capabilities than ever before. We are excited about this collaboration with AT&T in moving Arkansas towards NextGen 9-1-1 to better serve our PSAPs and the citizens of Arkansas,” said C.J. Engel, Executive Director, Arkansas 911 Board.

“For over 50 years, AT&T has been providing 9-1-1 services in Arkansas and we look forward to continue working with the Arkansas 911 Board to enhance and expand their public safety solutions so they can focus on protecting their communities and saving lives,” said Ronald Dedman, President, AT&T Arkansas.