Emergency Communications
What is NG911?
Next-Generation 911 explained — IP-based emergency calling for the modern era.
NG911 (Next-Generation 911) is the modernization of the traditional 911 emergency calling system. Where legacy 911 was built on circuit-switched telephone infrastructure and could only handle voice calls with basic location data, NG911 is an IP-based system that supports text, video, images, and far more accurate location information.
The foundation of NG911 is the Emergency Services IP network (ESInet), which replaces legacy selective routers with a managed IP backbone. Calls are routed as sessions (using SIP) rather than as circuit connections. This enables intelligent routing based on location, caller type, and available PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) resources.
For organizations operating life-safety systems, NG911 matters because it changes how emergency calls from elevators, fire panels, and emergency phones are delivered to 911. NG911 supports richer data — including precise location, building floor plans, and caller information — that legacy 911 could not transmit.
True911 supports NG911 integration, allowing managed life-safety endpoints to participate in the next-generation emergency calling ecosystem with accurate location data and PSAP handoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between E911 and NG911?
E911 (Enhanced 911) added automatic location information to legacy 911 voice calls. NG911 (Next-Generation 911) is a fully IP-based system that supports text, video, images, and richer data exchange between callers and PSAPs.
Is NG911 available everywhere?
NG911 deployment is ongoing and varies by region. Many PSAPs have migrated; others are in transition. NG911-ready systems like True911 can interoperate with both legacy and next-generation PSAPs.