How to Store Your 911 Location Data
Two Options for Storing 911 Location Data
When you make a 911 call from your business phone, the emergency responders need to know your exact location to provide you with the help you need. Because we’re a phone company, that's why Atlantech Online is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to collect and store your 911 location data.
But how do you store your 911 location data with Atlantech Online? And what are the benefits and drawbacks of the options available to you? In this blog post, we will explain the two ways for customers to store their 911 location data with Atlantech Online: the static option and the dynamic option using PIDF-LO. We will also help you decide which option is best for your business based on your needs and preferences.
Static Option
The static option is the simplest and most common way to store your 911 location data with Atlantech Online. With this option, you assign a specific address to each phone number in your account. This address is then stored in our database and sent to the 911 call center when you dial 911 from that phone number.
The static option is ideal for businesses that have a fixed location and do not move their phones around. It is also easy to set up and manage, as you only need to enter the address once for each phone number and update it if you change your location.
However, the static option has some limitations and drawbacks. For example, if you have multiple phones in the same location, you need to assign the same address to each phone number, which can be tedious and error-prone. Also, if you move your phone to a different location, you need to remember to update the address in your account, otherwise the 911 call center will receive the wrong location information. Moreover, the static option does not support sub-address information, such as floor, suite, or room number, which can be crucial for emergency responders to locate you in a large building.
Dynamic Option Using PIDF-LO
The dynamic option using PIDF-LO is a more advanced and flexible way to store your 911 location data with Atlantech Online. With this option, you configure the specific location of each phone in your local area network (LAN) switches and WiFi access points. This location information is then passed through to our network via PIDF-LO headers, which are special data packets that carry location information. When you dial 911 from any phone in your network, we use the PIDF-LO headers to determine your location and send it to the 911 call center.
The dynamic option using PIDF-LO is ideal for businesses that have a complex or dynamic network environment and need to track the location of their phones in real time. It is also more accurate and reliable, as it supports sub-address information and updates the location automatically whenever you move your phone within your network. Furthermore, the dynamic option using PIDF-LO reduces the administrative burden, as you do not need to enter or update the address for each phone number in your account.
However, the dynamic option using PIDF-LO has some challenges and requirements. For example, you need to have compatible network equipment that supports PIDF-LO and configure it properly to send the location information to our network. You also need to have a valid address for your network gateway, which is the device that connects your network to the internet. Additionally, the dynamic option using PIDF-LO may not work well if you have a firewall or a network address translation (NAT) device that blocks or modifies the PIDF-LO headers.
How to Choose Best Option for Your Business
So, how do you choose the best option for storing your 911 location data with Atlantech Online? The answer depends on your business needs and preferences. Here are some questions to consider:
- How many phones do you have in your network?
- How often do you move your phones within or across locations?
- How complex or dynamic is your network environment?
- How important is the sub-address information for your location?
- How comfortable are you with configuring and managing your network equipment?
If you have a small number of phones in a fixed location and do not need sub-address information, the static option may be the best choice for you. It is simple, easy, and effective.
If you have a large number of phones in a complex or dynamic network environment and need sub-address information, the dynamic option using PIDF-LO may be the best choice for you. It is accurate, reliable, and flexible.
If you are not sure which option to choose, you can always contact our customer support team and we will be happy to assist you. We can help you evaluate your network environment, explain the pros and cons of each option, and guide you through the setup process.
Storing your 911 location data with Atlantech Online is an important and mandatory step to ensure your safety and compliance with the FCC regulations. You have two options to store your 911 location data with Atlantech Online: the static option and the dynamic option using PIDF-LO. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, and you should choose the one that best suits your business needs and preferences. If you need any help or have any questions, please feel free to contact us or you can schedule a call.
