calling 211 from mobiles only-emergency connect to the police

KLID

Hi

A few days ago I got an email giving an account of how dialing 211 gives an emergency connection to the emergency services(police namely).

It connects through even if the handset is off(Ithink) or there is no credit.


Does anyone know if this it true? If it is, it would be a really good safety advice for folks to know - especially if they are being attacked etc....

redux

call 999 or 112 for emergency services

LeeSouthEast

As above. 211 is not a (UK) number.

robt_2

KLID wrote: »

Hi

A few days ago I got an email giving an account of how dialing 211 gives an emergency connection to the emergency services(police namely).

It connects through even if the handset is off(Ithink) or there is no credit.


Does anyone know if this it true? If it is, it would be a really good safety advice for folks to know - especially if they are being attacked etc....

Are you seriously asking if it is true or not after saying that it works when the handset is turned off?

KLID

sorry thats right - I should have put 112 NOT 211. -thanks redux and LeeSouthEast.

robt - I was just asking if dialing 112 will connect to the emergency services as i've heard that sometimes 999 on handsets does not work.


I'm amazed really that this is a little know fact.

adouglasmhor

112 will connect to the emergency services, and did so long before there were as many mobile phones, it's used in most EU countries and was adopted as standard in 1991.

It can still be dialed on a mobile even if the phone is locked.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-1-2 (I know it's Wikipedia but it at least as accurate as Britanica and it's free!)

maxtweenie

KLID wrote: »

sorry thats right - I should have put 112 NOT 211. -thanks redux and LeeSouthEast.

robt - I was just asking if dialing 112 will connect to the emergency services as i've heard that sometimes 999 on handsets does not work.


I'm amazed really that this is a little know fact.

It's always been the case that you can dial 112 instead of 999.

gjchester

Whilst GSM spec says the phone can make the call but IIRC no UK operator will accept a call from a phone with no sim, or a sim from another network.

Hence why a mobile should not be relied on in an emergency situation, you cannot make a call if you have no coverage on your own network.

Tony5101

gjchester wrote: »

Whilst GSM spec says the phone can make the call but IIRC no UK operator will accept a call from a phone with no sim, or a sim from another network.

Hence why a mobile should not be relied on in an emergency situation, you cannot make a call if you have no coverage on your own network.

I concur here with gjchester - the ability to dial emergency calls from a simless mobile/or a locked mobile using another network sim, was something that mobile operators in the UK have never signed up to - and as long as it is not legislated that this is a service that they have to provide, I really can't see anyone doing it.

LeeSouthEast

You do need a SIM in a phone to make an emergency call, but you no longer need service from your own network to do so. This changed at the end of last year. Any carrier will service an emergency call on behalf of your own network now.

digp

LeeSouthEast wrote: »

You do need a SIM in a phone to make an emergency call, but you no longer need service from your own network to do so. This changed at the end of last year. Any carrier will service an emergency call on behalf of your own network now.

how is that if you have no service?