In <tkONh.2457$Fe4.419@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk> "Richard Colton" <webmaster@NILSPAMuselessinfo.org.uk> writes:

>Not exactly. Whilst the GSM spec states that it should happen, in the UK
>you cannot make emergency calls on any network other than the one for which
>you have a valid SIM card inserted in your handset.

What happens if you have a phone that doesn't have a SIM? Are
you saying that emergency calls are blocked?

In the US [a], I've confirmed that phones will, indeed,
call out to the emergency numbers "911" and also "112"
(not "08" with my phone - perhaps newer ones will work [b])
as long as there's a compatable cellular signal. This
works whether or not the phone has a validated SIM in
it and a working account. I've done cross-network calls
with no problem.

[a] I've made these calls, mostly in the NYC area,
using a formerly Omnipoint, now T-Mobile, Nokia phone
No problems with or without a SIM, and they go through
even if the phone is locked.

[b] the physical phone instrument itself is programmed
to understand that "911" and "112" should "go out".
It doesn't recognize "08" so holds it up until it sees
if the phone can find a cellco network it's got an
account with. Once that happens, the network translates
the "08" to "911" and routes it properly.

I suspect, but have no direct experience, that the
newer models understand about 08 and will let those
calls get through.

- sidenote: I'm the one who suggested to Omnipoint,
almost a decade ago now... that they map "112" to
the 911 PSAPs. They were kind enough to write back
to me that they didn't think it was necessary, but
lo and behold they soon did so.



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