[brooke03]

Heard about this on the radio this morning, and they even tested it out on a BB. IT WAS SO LOUD! This is ridiculously stupid! It's like saying "hey, here I am.. come get me!"

I just hope AT&T doesn't come out with this crap.




"Some Verizon customers are complaining about an audible alarm that sounds when they dial 911. I guess someone thought this would be a useful feature useful feature, but do you really want a siren sounding when you’re hiding from a burglar in your closet?"

http://mobile.slashdot.org/article.p.../11/22/0336218

"An Austin woman who dialed 911 recently discovered what she said could be a fatal flaw in some new cell phones. She called for help when she arrived at some vacant property she owns in east Austin and found her security chain gone. She grabbed her new Verizon Wireless Casio G'zOne phone, which to her horror made an audible alarm when she called 911. Fearing vandals were still on the property, she hung up and hid, then put her hand over the earpiece and dialed again to muffle the sounds. A Verizon Wireless spokesperson says it's mandatory according to Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act. The FCC says Section 255 of the Telecommunications Code requires that phones let a caller know a 911 call is underway, but does not require an audible alarm. This thread on Howardforums.com mentions that the alarm is present on new Sprint phones too."

Turns out, Verizon said the 911 alarm is on all its new phones. Verizon said the audible tone is required by the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC, however, said that’s not so.
Here’s what Verizon Spokeswoman Sheryl Sellaway said:
“The tone our customer experienced is our interpretation of Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act calling for a provider of telecommunications service to offer service that is accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities. The tone, indicating that 911 has been dialed, is one of several features designed to make wireless service is accessible and easy to use, especially for those with disabilities. Other features include a voice command key where customers can use their voice to dial by name or number; a voice echo feature so that a person who can't see can hear the number or letter if sending a text; read back text messages and speech output of signal strength, battery strength, missed calls, voicemail, roaming, time and date.”

And there's a full story here: http://www.kvue.com/news/local/stori...1f46e16ee.html

One more link http://www.notebooks.com/2007/11/25/...and-dangerous/

[ma077146]

Thanks for posting this Brooke. I'm not going to test 911 on my device to find out if I have an alarm (Sprint user), but this circumstance could make a bad situation a lot worse.

[cyberspastic]

you're right, Brooke. It's like saying, "hey burglar! I'm in the closet!"

[N8DBB]

Hah...yeah..no kidding...does it immediately go to 911?

If so, wonder how many calls they are getting saying "Oh, sorry, i was just testing my blackberry".

[brooke03]

According to a Verizon employee who called into the radio station when they were testing this, the phone will then "lock up" for a few minutes and say "Emergency Call Mode" in the corner and ONLY 911 will be able to call you back. This is if you call and hang up.

[cliffr39]

interesting read. I knew it would go "emergency call mode" but didn't know only 911 can call you back during that time, and no one else.

I really do not like this "siren" thing. Too many times when you dial 911 you are in a life threatening situation.. not just calling to say hello so this is stupid.

[jeanralph]

I agree what could be the benefit of an audible 911 alarm I'm sure as adults dialing 911 is not a mistake. We do not need 2 be informed that we are making an emergency call, also doesn't put your life in more danger by basically giving the offender a real time location of where you are!!!!! Oh by the way thanks 911 I'm sure we all appreciate the expediated danger (sprint customer)

[sy32478]

I would suggest using 1911 - it may be louder, but would hardly draw criminals towards you .

[alin]

Wow this is very interesting, I know if I were in an emergency, I would not want to hear a siren, I would only want to hear that someone is trying to help me!!

[curve247]

I bet this opens up the door for lawsuits. The first person who is injured by a criminal because their phone gave their location away will be suing sprint or verizon for damages. Makes me think twice about calling 911 in that type of situation. Does 911 accept BB Messenger or texts? J/K

[gkg3059]

Its even scary!

[Mofolepo]

Do you know if this happens even if you dial 112 (mobile emergency number)?

[magellan0547]

good question mofolepo

[fuzzbutt]

WOW, this is great info. I use this phone for my guys in the field. I let them know to use caution. course they are all guys and are probably thinking "we will just run in and save the day anyway!"

[j llama]

wow, thats pretty interesting. Glad I'm with TMO