UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted new rules implementing federal laws that strengthen enhanced 911 service or “E911” to provide accurate location information when dialing 911, regardless of the technology platform or device used.

To comply with the new rules and to enhance public safety, users of softphone applications such as Cisco Jabber — which allow telephone calls to be made over the internet — will soon be required to acquire and maintain MyE911 location-tracking software on their desktop, laptop and tablet devices. MyE911 is not needed on softphone devices with cellular calling capability.

MyE911 works with the softphone application to deliver the caller’s location to 911-dialed dispatchers in the event of an emergency. Location information is managed solely by the softphone user, and only the current location is shared in case of an emergency. As part of the new FCC requirement, softphone users will be prompted to update their location any time they log in from a new physical location.

Softphones run as an application that uses the University-provided telephone number to make or receive phone calls from a device connected to the University’s network. E911 is the part of the North American 911 emergency system that automatically ties a location to the call — whether it’s a specific address or coordinates.

Softphone users are encouraged to review the information about the required MyE911 software in the Knowledge Base article at MyE911 - Locations Tracking Software - Overview or reach out to their IT support staff for more information.   

Click here for more information on the FCC E911 requirements.