WINNIPEG – MTS said Thursday that members of the deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech impaired (DHHSI) community now have the ability to communicate with 9-1-1 call centres in Manitoba using wireless text messaging through the Text with 9-1-1 service (T9-1-1).
T9-1-1 is supported by all wireless service providers and is now available in areas of Manitoba with Enhanced 9-1-1 capability. Enhanced 9-1-1 provides emergency operators with the caller's wireless phone number and the location of the cellular tower handling the call. Customers must also be in their wireless service provider's coverage area to access T9-1-1.
The service is only available to those in the DHHSI community who register their cell phones for the service at either www.mts.ca/t911 or at an MTS Dealer. Voice calling remains the only way to communicate with 9-1-1 services for a person that is not deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or with speech impairment. Text messages sent directly to the digits ‘9-1-1’ do not reach emergency services, though Text with 9-1-1 for the public at large is expected to be deployed at a later date.
"MTS is proud to offer Text with 9-1-1 across Manitoba," said president Kelvin Shepherd, in the news release. "We encourage all members of the DHSSI community to register their wireless devices so they can access this important service."
