999 calls

[Richard B]

I heard an interesting thing this week....

Apparently, if you dial 112 from a mobile instead of 999, the 'phone will use all avaliable networks (regardless of subscription) to find the strongest signal for the call, and use all available masts to calculate the most accurate triangulation to a grid-reference for your position which is passed to the emergency services. Hmmm... wow!

I can't verify this, nor the rumour that 112 may eventually replace 999 as the standard emergency service number.

Does anyone have any further infornation on this?

I notice that there was a hoax about a year ago which suggested that 112 used satellites instead of ground station masts: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4724101.stm

[Scrumdown]

112 is the intl emergency number - your mobile will make a 999 using whichh ever network is free - if out of range of your provide r it will often say "sos calls only" on your screen.

if you want to see how to trace a mobile signal have a look at the "track your child" websites they just use a mobile phone signal to locate your kids - quite cheap to subscribe to as well

[gingercoastie]

112 and 999 use exactly the same system in the UK, wether from a mobile or land line phone.

[floater]

you can also dial 999 and 112 even when most phones have been "key locked"

so when your 4 year old niece picks up your phone to have a look and the next thing you hear is "hello caller this is the north wales police is every thing ok ?"

you have been warned

Andy

[Polwart]

there is a possibility that you will be "out of range" of a UK mobile mast but within range of an overseas (european) mast which will not recognise 999, but will recognise 112.