New Delhi, March 28: Soon you will be able to dial a single emergency number 112 to call police, ambulance or fire fighting services on the lines of 911 in the US.
The new system, which is expected to be in place within a year, will eventually replace the current multiple emergency numbers - 100, 101, 102 for police, fire and ambulance, respectively. The current emergency numbers will continue for a year.
You will be able to make these calls to 112 from mobile and landline phones even if the outgoing call facility has been debarred or the service is temporarily suspended. One can also send SMS to this number.
The Telecom Commission today accepted regulator Trai's proposals on the implementation of a "single number-based integrated emergency communication and response system" where a call centre will receive all distress calls and then alert departments or agencies concerned.
The regulator has proposed that the new system will allow telecom operators to ascertain the location of a caller and make it available to authorities on a real-time basis. The emergency response centres will function under police commissioners or district magistrates.
Virtual network operators
The Telecom Commission today accepted Trai's proposal to bring virtual network operators - companies that provide mobile services without owning spectrum or network infrastructure - within a licensing framework and allow them to offer voice, data and video services.
It also discussed the reserve price for the 700MHz band, which may be sold in the July auctions and has sought clarification from Trai on the calculation of the same. Trai is expected to respond within 15 days.
Trai had recommended a record high base price of Rs 11,485 crore per MHz for the 700MHz band. Industry players maintain that the price is unaffordable. None of the operators want to purchase airwaves in this band citing a lack of low-cost handsets and network equipment.
The 700MHz band spectrum is better suitable to deliver 4G services over other bands such as 900MHz or 1800MHz.
