Discussion Forum

Now, I know that some members are American, so this may be of interest.

Essentially, the mobile carrier network, Verizon, drops 911 calls often. (I thought it was always AT&T you hated?) I'm sure that dropping 911 calls is not something any carrier should do. I'm suprised, because for one of the most technologically advanced nations, you have crappy coverage. I've never dropped a video call, never mind a 999 or a 112.

Anyway, it took 30 mins to reach the dispatcher. 30!

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/25/verizons-dropped-911-calls-leave-one-woman-trapped-in-burning-h/

That's disgusting. I don't know whether or not it's happening in Canada. I've never had to dial 911.

A colleague had a visit from police at school coz she accidentally dialled 911 - 9 to get an outside line, then 1 for the beginning of the area code she wanted, but she must have hit it twice.

Her call didn't go through....well....it got through to the 911 dispsatcher and the police came to talk to her. It was hilarious. But at least the DID get to school quickly to check it out.

LG

That's pretty humourous. The weird thing is though, in the world outside of America, government mandates say that emergency calls HAVE to be given priority above other traffic. It's even in one of the European Union documents. So, unless the tower or cable is physically down your 112 or 999 call would NOT be terminated.

Also, I just read that Americans PAY for 911 access and 911 have to PAY for bandwith to operate 911 frequencies. Where's the logic in that?

Also, more stats: Mobile/cell phone ownership: 93.8% (US) and over 112% in Europe (inc. Britain). 113% (Chile - taken at random)
coverage: 97% (US) and 99% (UK)

That is bloody ridiculous! The 'mericans should be doing summit about it...stead of spending time slagging off government officials.

To my 'merican friends, I don't mean YOU.LG