ZCorum and XCast Labs have announced that through a joint development effort have successfully implemented a specialized e911 system for ERF Wireless (News - Alert).

The specialized system uses GPS coordinates to dispatch emergency personnel to a specific geographic location.

ERF Wireless provides secure broadband services that include Digital Voice (VoIP) services to a wide range of business and residential clients. The ERF Energy Broadband Division services the oil and gas industry, including oil drilling platforms and production wells, which do not have a traditional physical address.

The lack of a physical address precluded the remote locations from having a 911 service.

Officials with ZCorum said that to solve this, ERF Wireless discussed with their managed services provider ZCorum for a solution.

ZCorum provides broadband Internet and communication solutions to telcos, cable companies, utilities, and municipalities, assisting in all facets of broadband implementation, integration, engineering and consulting, network monitoring and broadband diagnostics.

Company officials said that ZCorum worked with their VoIP technology partner, XCast (News - Alert) Labs, to develop a plan to route emergency calls to the appropriate e911 call center by using GPS coordinates coupled with the closest physical address available.

“We’re always looking for ways to meet the unique challenges faced by our customers,” said Neal Grillot, vice president of operations at ZCorum, in a statement.

“We also didn’t want the lack of a physical address to be a factor in whether or not emergency personnel can get to someone in need of help,” said Grillot.

ZCorum worked with their partner, XCast Labs, on changes needed in their ordering systems to handle the GPS coordinates, and XCast Labs worked with the underlying 911 provider to ensure that the new system would work properly.

“We have a great working relationship with ZCorum and talented developers, so I knew XCast Labs would be able to develop a solution,” said Richard Tew, vice president of wholesale markets at XCast Labs.

“XCast Labs is always prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that all of our customers are safe and have access to 911 services,” said Tew. 

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