Photo: Google
To boost emergency response in India, Google has officially launched its Emergency Location Service (ELS) on Android phones.
Now when users call 112, the pan-India emergency number their approximate location is automatically shared with responders so they can be helped more quickly.
Pilot Rollout in Uttar Pradesh
In a collaborative effort with the Uttar Pradesh Police and Pert Telecom Solutions Pvt Ltd, ELS was integrated into the state’s emergency response system (112) marking a first for India. And it was a very successful trial not only did the service handle millions of calls and texts, but it gave accurate location information even when messages were very short or cut off mid-transmission.
How the Service Works
The ELS function, which is built into Android devices, springs into action solely during the making of emergency calls or when sending SMS messages to emergency numbers. Drawing on several sources such as GPS data, nearby Wi-Fi networks, and signals from mobile phone masts it can work out where someone is with impressive accuracy: usually within 50 metres.
It may also send other details that could help operators at call centres; for instance if your handset is set to use English as its main language. One really big bonus here? You don’t have to download any special apps or sign up for anything different than normal; plus Google makes a point of telling us user privacy remains something they take very seriously.
Activating the Emergency Location Service
Even though ELS usually comes turned on by default on most Android phones, people can check or activate it just to be sure it’s working. Generally, users can do this by opening their phone’s settings there they should look for a safety or emergency option.
The Emergency Location Service may be listed there; if not, try looking under location (some devices have a separate location services menu). Once switched on, ELS will automatically share your location when you make an emergency call or send a text- no extra steps needed. This helps ensure that first responders get accurate information quickly.
Significance for Public Safety
Occasionally individuals may find themselves unable to communicate clearly with emergency services because they are badly hurt or confused but even if this does not apply, there are still times when it is difficult to tell people where you are. For instance, mobile phone signals can be patchy in some areas meaning calls do not always get through (or text messages may be a better option).
Future Expansion
Presently, in Uttar Pradesh, there’s an ELS feature on Android phones that have Android 6. 0 or later versions. Google intends to make the service available in more states throughout India thereby helping to build a stronger system for managing crises.
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