If you dial 9-1-1, you expect someone to answer—no matter what. That’s a promise public safety teams make to every community, and it’s a promise that technology must keep too. But as we upgrade our nation’s communication networks from legacy infrastructure to modern fiber and wireless, there’s a challenge many people don’t see: some Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) – the official name of 9-1-1 call centers – still rely on older systems that weren’t built for this new world.
For these PSAPs, moving to fiber requires careful planning and adaptation. Their current systems, built on older technology, don’t simply “plug in” to modern fiber networks without a little help. While some PSAPs have already upgraded to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) services that enable more advanced and reliable emergency response, not every PSAP is ready to make the leap right away. And because 9-1-1 service can’t take a day off, PSAPs need a way to stay connected now, while preparing for the future.
That’s exactly why we developed Transitional 9-1-1, or T9-1-1. It’s a purpose-built solution for PSAPs in this moment of change. With T9-1-1, we build fiber directly to the PSAP and then use specialized equipment to translate between the new, IP-based network and existing legacy 9-1-1 systems. Simply stated: T9-1-1 is the bridge that keeps legacy systems running smoothly, even as we upgrade the network beneath them.
We saw this in action last December, when Panola County, Miss. became our first T9-1-1 user. So far, their team has been impressed with the results. As Audra Lott, PSAP Supervisor for Panola County told us:
“The installation and transition from copper to fiber through T9-1-1 was seamless, allowing us to continue serving our community without any interruptions. This upgrade ensures we’re ready to meet the evolving needs of Panola County.”
In addition to keeping PSAPs connected amid a transition, installing fiber and upgrading the network today means PSAPs are better prepared to embrace the full promise of NG9-1-1 when the time is right. That next-generation system opens the door to powerful new capabilities, like sending texts, pictures, or videos to 9-1-1, sharing precise caller locations, and seamlessly rerouting calls if a PSAP’s network goes down. These advances make a real difference when it matters most.
We know that every upgrade, every new piece of equipment, is ultimately about serving people. It’s about making sure someone can reach help in an emergency, no matter what’s changing behind the scenes. Our job is to make that transition as seamless as possible for the heroes on the front lines.
The move from legacy copper infrastructure to fiber is a journey, not a flip of a switch. But with solutions like T9-1-1, PSAPs don’t have to choose between staying connected now and preparing for what’s next—they can do both. We’re proud to partner with public safety teams across the country to make sure that, as technology moves forward, the lifeline of 9-1-1 stays strong and ready for whatever the future holds.
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