The benefits of E911 emergency calling APIs

Emergencies, unfortunately, can happen at any time. According to research by the National Emergency Number Association, 240 million calls are made to 911 each year. The FCC requires that VoIP providers using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) meet all E911 obligations. This includes Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’S Act, which are regulations concerning emergency calls.

At Telnyx, our emergency calling APIs—Standard and Dynamic E911—meet 911 standards. We also adhere to Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM'S Act, and tools to facilitate compliance are free to customers with US numbers. Read on to learn about our emergency calling APIs and how they provide critical information to emergency responders.

What are the benefits of using E911?

1. Accurate location information

E911 communicates location metadata to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) during emergency calls. The goal is to speed up response time during emergencies. Telnyx’s emergency APIs—Standard and Dynamic E911—both provide location information, but their routing methods differ.

Standard E911 ties a physical address (which you designate when setting up your E911) to your emergency-enabled IP phone number. This information is passed on to emergency responders even if you’re unable to communicate it.

Dynamic E911 or E911 with Dynamic Location Routing is routing based on location object. It uses Presence Information Data Format – Location Object (PIDF-LO) to provide location information. With Dynamic E911, phone numbers are decoupled from addresses and associated with end-users. This allows emergency responders to determine location, down to floor and suite level.

2. Compliance with regulations

There are two regulations concerning emergency calling that you should be aware of: RAY BAUM’S Act and Kari’s Law. Both regulations require 911-supported phone systems to include dispatchable locations.

3. Manage E911 from the same interface as your other phone lines

Telnyx provides Standard E911 services through our intuitive Mission Control Portal. You can activate E911 by indicating that calls are directed to the appropriate PSAP and communicating a saved address. You can even test the connection by dialing 933—the service will read back the address that you validated.

Emergency calling with Telnyx

We offer Standard E911 services across all our numbers and Dynamic E911 to all American and Canadian numbers. You can set up Standard E911 in our Mission Control Portal, or explore developer docs to configure Dynamic E911.

If you’d like more information on how to manage your E911 services or have any questions, get in touch with a member of our team.

FAQ

What is E911 in VoIP? E911 is an enhanced emergency calling service that sends your phone number and registered location to the public safety answering point when you dial 911 from VoIP. It improves routing and response times compared to basic 911 that requires you to state your address.

Does 911 work with VoIP? Yes, 911 works on VoIP when your provider supports E911 and you register a valid service address. You must keep that address current and understand that voice calls depend on power and internet connectivity.

How do I set up or update my E911 address on a VoIP service? Log into your VoIP account and assign a physical service address to each number or endpoint, including building, floor, and suite if applicable. Update the address immediately when users move desks, switch offices, or work remotely.

What are the limitations of VoIP 911 calls? Power outages, ISP failures, or local network issues can prevent VoIP 911 calls, and location may be wrong if the registered address is outdated. Test your system using non-emergency lines provided by local authorities and train staff on backup procedures.

What is the difference between E911 and NG911? E911 routes calls to the correct center and sends caller ID and address data, while NG911 uses IP-based networks to handle voice, location, and additional data with better resilience. NG911 may also support data channels such as messaging types like SMS and MMS, but adoption varies by region.

Can I text 911 from a VoIP system? Some regions support text-to-911, but availability and VoIP platform support differ by jurisdiction and provider. Text-to-911 typically uses SMS rather than MMS, so photos and videos are not delivered.

Can I send pictures or videos to 911 from VoIP? Most public safety centers do not accept media via MMS messaging, even where NG911 rollouts are underway. Plan to describe critical details verbally and follow dispatcher instructions.