New regulations in the European Union mandate that all smartphones sold in the single market must transmit handset-derived location data during emergency calls to ensure accurate caller positioning. This Automatic Location Identification (AML) protocol utilizes Global Navigation Satellite System data, including Galileo, and Wi-Fi information to determine a user’s location, which is then transported to Public Safety Answering Points via SMS or HTTPS. The technology is supported by major operating systems like iOS and Android and is already deployed in 30 countries, requiring no additional apps for users who simply dial 112. To facilitate compliance, ETSI is finalizing a test specification that will allow Notified Bodies to verify that manufacturers’ devices meet these mandatory safety standards.
Keywords: emergency location, public safety, Galileo, smartphone compliance, PSAP