Govt seeks assurances for reliable 111 system

The Government is warning telecommunication companies to sign up to a voluntary code on the 111 emergency call line, or face further action to ensure its reliability.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce yesterday announced a series of steps being taken to try to ensure the reliability of 111 emergency call services. He said the impact of the Telecom XT network outages highlighted the need for agreed standards for 111.

"I am calling on telecommunications carriers to sign up to the Emergency Calling Code as a matter of urgency," Mr Joyce said.

The code has been developed by the Telecommunications Carriers' Forum, in consultation with the Government.

Telcos can sign up to the code whether or not they are a member of the forum.

"The code provides a good starting point for ensuring the effective delivery of emergency calls by providing minimum standards. An industry-led voluntary code is preferable to regulation but the Government will be prepared to act if necessary," Mr Joyce said.

Government officials were working with the independent review of recent outages of Telecom's XT mobile network and Telecom's internal investigation of the Papatoetoe exchange fault which affected 111 in the early hours of February 26.

"I will be reviewing closely the results of investigations into recent network outages to assess whether any further action is required to protect the integrity of the emergency calling system", Mr Joyce said.