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  112  as a 911 Emergency Number

Updated 9-22-07

911 is not a universal emergency number.  Many European countries use 112 as their emergency number for police, fire, medical etc.  

In the United States and in most of the North American dial plan, we use 911 for emergency services and never think about dialing 112.  However, many 911 centers are reporting calls coming into them from cell phones by individuals not intending to report an emergency. 

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How is this happening?  Several major wireless providers have programmed 112 into their systems and then "Translate" it to 911.  We have seen this on wireless providers such as Nextel, T Mobile and Cingular.  Frequently, when dialing from cell phones, it is easy to "Fat Finger" dialing and end up dialing "1" twice.  Then if the area code you are dialing begins with a "2" you have just dialed the emergency number "112" and are connected to the nearest 911 emergency center. 

For example: You want to dial 1-248-555-1212 but dial the "1" twice accidentally you really end up dialing 112-48-555-1212.  This would connect you directly to 911.

Contacts within Nextel suggest that this has been done so that in the event that European customers bring their phones to the United States 112 emergency services will still work.  However, you would think that Americans traveling to Europe would want the ability to dial 911 from their cell phones there.  That's not the case.  911 has not been translated to 112 in Europe.

If you "fat finger" 112, your phone may display "Emergency".  In the event you inadvertently dial 112 and are connected to the 911 center, DON'T HANG UP.  Just explain what happened so the operators don't need to be concerned that there is a real emergency.