Nortel Networks has joined a Texas A&M University research project focused on Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) access for next generation Internet Protocol (IP) networks. The company has donated its Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) to the Texas A&M research project, which looks at what the industry has identified as the future ‘third stage’ of E9-1-1 deployment – emergency communications in a pure-IP environment.
Nortel Networks said the technology for E9-1-1 was originally designed for the traditional circuit-switched telephone network in which the telephones remain at a fixed location. In March, FCC Chairman Michael Powell urged the telecommunications industry to make the development of a nationwide VoIP E9-1-1 solution a top priority. Nortel Networks initially responded by submitting a detailed proposal to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) to address key technology challenges.
NENA has outlined a three-stage approach to resolving VoIP E9-1-1 issues. In its submission to NENA, Nortel Networks proposed a solution for the second stage – implementing a VoIP E9-1-1 solution that works with existing circuit-switched interfaces already deployed in the network. Mark Lewis of Nortel Networks is the leader of the NENA VoIP migration working group which focuses on migration of the current 9-1-1 network from TDM to VoIP.
In this new research project, Texas A&M will be focused on the third stage – E9-1-1 in a pure-IP environment, using Nortel Networks MCS system in the public safety answering points (PSAPs). The project scope includes creating a vision for the future of E9-1-1 and conducting a practical trial. The trial is scheduled for the first quarter of 2005.
Texas A&M is the official VoIP lab for the Internet 2 community, a consortium of 206 universities working in conjunction with the industry and government to develop advanced network applications. This research project has received funding from the 911 board of Texas and the State of Virginia. In addition, Texas A&M has applied for a grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a Presidential advisory agency. http://www.nortelnetworks.com
