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The Vision for Next Generation 911 (NENA i3)

Learn more about the i3 Standard for Next Generation 9-1-1.

Since its beginnings in 1967, 911 has been linked to traditional telephone technology. Basic 911 provided calling to a local law enforcement dispatch center by using direct connections from the telephone company’s central office to the center. Basic 911 was eventually able to provide the caller ID and sometimes location, but virtually all other information was communicated by voice from the call-maker to the call-taker.

Then, with the mass adoption of cell phone technology in the late 1990s and early 2000s came Enhanced 911 (E911). The major difference between Basic and E911 is that E911 used a Selective Router and the caller’s location to determine which PSAP to route the caller.

In the early 2000s, the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) began a nationwide discussion between 911 Authorities, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and 911 Call Handling System vendors about what the future of 911 would look like. This conversation resulted in what is today known as the Next Generation 911 (NG9-1-1) i3 standard. This standard, at its simplest interpretation moves from traditional analog technology to a fully digital solution.


NG9-1-1 System

The major functional components/entities that comprise the Washington State NG9-1-1 system are:

  • Originating Network Providers — the communication entities (i.e., telephone companies) that connect a caller to the ESInet.
  • Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet) — used to connect the Originating Network Providers (Wireline, Wireless and VoIP) to the PSAPs.
  • Emergency Call routing Function (ECRF) — is a process that uses location protocols and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to more accurately determine caller location and route the call to the optimal PSAP and associated first responders (Law, Fire, and EMS) for that location.
  • Policy Routing Function (PRF) — allows rules to be created that can over-ride normal call routing rules and add flexibility on how calls are processed. For example, a PSAP may wish to have calls delivered to an alternate PSAP depending on the time of day. Such policies are referred to as Policy Routing Rules (PRR) which can be different for each PSAP.
  • Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) — the location where the 911 call takers are located


    NG 911 Implementation

    Between 2016 and 2019, the State of Washington Emergency Communications Office (SECO) worked with contractors, carriers and the 911 call-taking community to transition to a fully modernized digital NG9-1-1 system in which the ESInet component uses MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) routing technology to deliver calls for service quickly and efficiently.

    The transition included the elimination of Selective Routers and the addition of NENA i3-compliant Next-Gen Core Services functions (see above) used to determine a caller’s location, identify the correct PSAP, and deliver the call for service with the caller’s location information automatically included.

    FCC Report & Order Implementing NG911

    In June 2024, the Federal Communications Commission released a report and order describing steps toward implementing next generation 911 services nationwide. This action enhances the already advanced deployment of 911 services in Washington state.

    In May 2025, the SECO will begin notifying the wireline, wireless and VoIP carriers in the state of their intention to implement Phase 1 of the FCC Report & Order — which requires carriers to connect to the ESInet using the fully digital Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) telecommunications technology. Depending on a carrier’s classification by the FCC, they will have either six or 12 months to complete this transition to SIP from the traditional TDM technology. The SECO seeks to be a good partner during this transition and establish points of connection as close to the carrier’s switching equipment as is feasible.

    Phase 1

    Phase 2