On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 10:20:07 +0000 (UTC) abuse@cabal.org.uk (Peter Corlett) wrote:
Given that there are UK telephone numbers starting 911
When I worked with Oftel on the design of the new UK numbering schemes, one of my strongest recommendations was for certain prefixes, including 911, to be ringfenced from all local numbering schemes - for exactly the reasons that you are now pointing to. Sadly Oftel were never known for their ability to understand reasoned argument within the technical arena ... A current, and related, problem is the introduction of emergency SMS messaging from cellphones ... a very necessary feature for deaf people to use, where they cannot access a text/relay service (eg when they are in a foreign country) Of course, the design of GSM predicates that such messages will go to the message center in their home country, and as things stand would be routed from there to the home country emergency services, regardless of where in the world the user actually is! -- Richard