FCC Warning: new text-to-911 feature is not widely available for use

The FCC issued a statement warning users not to use its new text-to-911 feature for emergencies, unless no other options exist.

Text-to-911 is a new way of reaching emergency operators and has been widely adapted by major cellular carriers since July of 2013. In January of 2014, the FCC issued an official policy announcement detailing cross-carrier implementation of text-to-911 service by December 31, 2014.

However, the new texting option is only limited to a few geographical areas, and users should not expect it to be a reliable method for contacting emergency personnel since many emergency centers are not electronically equipped to handle the new messaging system:

The Commission has encouraged 911 call centers to begin accepting texts as text providers develop text-to-911 capability.

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