During emergencies, we often need to call an Emergency Service. We take emergency calls for granted – it’s easy to make a quick call. If you are Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing, calling emergency services is not simple. That is because Emergency Services are usually not accessible for them. The result is clear: People with disabilities are more vulnerable in emergency situations, and experience particularly high rates of mortality in these contexts compared to the non-disabled.
Our nWise RTT Bridge enables calls from under-served communities to be connected to Emergency Services in the same way as voice calls. It is a part of The Next Generation Core Services (NGCS), designed to integrate Real-Time Text (RTT) into 112 Emergency Services networks.
nWise RTT Bridge complies with the accessibility requirements described in the European Electronic Communication Code (EECC 2018/1972) and European Accessibility Act (EAA 2019/882) and their delegated regulation. Our technology also meets the stringent requirements set forth by ETSI EMTEL-00054 and NENA i3. This SIP-based solution seamlessly connects multiple parties within a single RTT call, facilitating efficient implementation of RTT into the core network. Its modular nature ensures seamless integration into existing Emergency Services infrastructure and minimizes operational disruptions and costs.
nWise RTT Bridge
nWise RTT Bridge is a modular solution that enables Next Generation Emergency Services to handle calls using RTT to existing conference bridges. These are the main features of nWise RTT Bridge:
- Integrates incoming RTT calls with the infrastructure of the Emergency Service.
- Directs calls from applications that use RTT to Emergency Services, without a Relay Service interface.
- Integrates into existing SIP-based architecture, minimizing changes to the operational environment.
- Adds RTT conference, which is key when first respondents need to do a call transfer and consultations during emergencies.
- Works, in conjunction with the MMX Enterprise Suite, to provide a full-service solution to communication with individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing.
Meaningful Accessibility to Public Safety
At nWise, we aim to address this imbalance and give people who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing the reassurance that they too can rapidly access Emergency Services. RTT makes emergency services accessible to everyone. Since we set out on our journey in 2008, RTT and increased accessibility to Emergency Services have formed an integral part of what we do.
By Meaningful Accessibility we mean more than texting or faxing, which incredibly, are what currently pass for “accessibility” in a number of countries. Meaningful Accessibility simply means that everyone should be able to make an emergency call and get the help they need in a timely manner.
The basics: RTT is a Text Standard
We are proud to have developed our proven solution, nWise RTT Bridge. It uses standardized text known as RTT, and it enables emergency services and PSAPs to receive calls from Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals that use RTT, and to effectively add RTT calls to a conference, do warm transfers and effectively handle RTT calls.
Real-Time Text has become a global standard for transmitting text; it means that text characters are transmitted as they are being typed. It is rapidly replacing TTY/textphones and other non-standardized text in telecom services in Europe and North America, such as Telecom Relay Services and Emergency Services.
RTT to Emergency Services
The United States and the EU have approved regulatory changes to enforce accessibility to emergency services by people who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. RTT is the technology that is used.
nWise is something of an authority on the issue. For several years, we’ve been deeply involved in discussions promoted by the EENA (European Emergency Number Association) and NENA (North American Emergency Number Association). We are regulars at conferences, giving demonstrations and participating in panel discussions that deal with accessibility to the Next Generation of Emergency Services.
Next generation Emergency Services – NG911 and NG112
Most emergency systems in North America (911) and Europe (112) were built using analog and not digital technology. PSAPs are being upgraded to IP-based technology, which is also known as Next Generation, or NG911 and NG112. This transition from voice to data will provide enhanced emergency services for all of us. nWise works actively to provide meaningful accessibility to Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals.
So Why Use nWise RTT Bridge?
nWise has a proven track record in developing communication solutions with RTT, and our mission has always been to enable communication for all. With nWise RTT Bridge, we bring this mission to a key sector of society: Emergency Communication Services.
nWise RTT Bridge is a key element in Next Generation Core Services (NGCS) that effectively enables RTT calls to a PSAP. It has been developed to conform with the EECC 2018/1972 and EAA 2019/882 requirements, and to meet the ETSI EMTEL and NENA i3 requirements.
To find out more about how we can help you with access to emergency services with nWise RTT Bridge, contact us here. To learn more about these services, click here or fill out the form so that we can give you a call to discuss further.
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