Critical to a successful transition to next generation 9-1-1 is call processing equipment (CPE). It needs to handle, and transmit, NG9-1-1 location information. When upgrading to NG9-1-1, PSAPs in Northern California found that their legacy CPE theoretically met NENA i3 standards. They learned it would not be capable of supporting NG9-1-1 location information in its native format.
Our team, partnering with DDTI, went to work to develop an ALI Emulation scheme. It acted as a work-around to get all eight PSAPs live with NG9-1-1 and process location information properly. This scheme would take incoming legacy location information and provide emergency call takers with more accurate NG9-1-1 location data.
At the core of the issue was the legacy CPE could not push native NG9-1-1 location information through the equipment and to the CAD for emergency telecommunicators to see and dispatch to first responders.
Synergem and DDTI built the work-around to deliver NG9-1-1 location information through a serial port and through to the CAD system. Essentially, the ALI-emulation box emulates the Automatic Location Identification (ALI) function receiving legacy location information, allowing legacy CPE to display NG9-1-1 location data and push it to the CAD.
Although the legacy CPE posed challenges, our combined years of expertise with system and solutions development enabled the team to quickly deliver a NG9-1-1 lab-tested solution that is live and functioning. Thus, enabling PSAPs and communities to take advantage of the countless benefits of NG9-1-1.
Synergem launched initial services for Northern California on November 9, 2022. With primary service to the South Lake Tahoe region and forwarding service to five other PSAPs. The expansion to cover the whole region continues through this year and into the next.
As the Regional Network Service Provider for Northern California, we are honored to be a part of this massive state upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1. We know this will act as an example to other states for interoperability and migration success.
If your PSAP is considering beginning the migration to NG9-1-1, contact our team of experts! We can assess your systems and any potential challenges that could arise along the way.