112 instead of 999

[1977Nicky]

Is it true that if you dial 112 from your mobile in an emergency instead of 999 your call can be traced so the operator knows your location and also you get put through to the local emergency services instead of a central database so it is possible for the services to get to you quicker? This is what I was told on a first aid course yet so many people have never heard of 112 - surely this service should be utlilised more often seeing as a huge chunk of emergency calls come from mobiles?

[thedelbwa]

Hmmm, interesting. Although when I dialled 999 from my mboile I got through to a local operator immediately. Having worked in an emergency control room, it would make sense to be able to geographically trace the call, but never heard of it, and would have thought it would throw up some social complications (Big Brother-type complaints from the usual freedom fighters).

[gina32]

i thought your call could be traced anyway regardless of what sort of phone you use?

[heathfield]

The 112 number has been introduced as an EU-wide common number. Because of traditional use of 999 in the UK, this number will be retained. The problem with 112 is that it is very easy for noise on a line, or a customer tapping the phone cradle, to result in a false call. (That's one of several reasons why dialling 999 was originally chosen).
When you dial, the operator sees your number through a Call Line Identity system. (This will always happen, whether or not you have dialled 141 first, or have arranged that your phone number remain hidden). Using a daily updated data base, the operator can then find the address of the line installation, with the postcode, the name of the phone customer, and the service provider. This information allows the nearest emergency service to be selected.
With mobile phones, caller location can be immediately pinpointed and is available to the emergency services through the Enhanced Information Service for Emergency Calls, the result of collaboration between BT, 02,Orange, Vodafone and 3.

[Ethel]

The fact that the emergency services can pinpoint mobile phone location has been demonstrated many times in documentaries of the 'emergency' type, where a caller has managed to dial 999 before passing out, or not knowing where they are.