Whereas the significant rise in cell phone 911 pocket calls and dropped 911 pocket calls has resulted since the introduction of the Emergency SOS Auto 911 call feature in smartphone devices and watches; And whereas Canada has over 12 million calls to 911 annually, with 30 percent of those from pocket dialed and dropped 911 calls, which are a significant drain on resources, both from a 911 call centre standpoint, but also in terms of first responder operational resources; Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the federal government and Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission CRTC to require telecommunications service providers and companies that produce cellular devices to change the Emergency SOS default setting on cellular devices to disabled to prevent inadvertent and unintended 911 calls; And be it further resolved that the federal government request that the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association CWTA support the consumers right to intentionally opt-in to the Emergency SOS function; And be it further resolved that the federal government require telecommunications service providers to take a more active role in public education with respect to the Emergency SOS feature, including consumer rights.
