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I wonder if there should be a 911-like test number that would cause the phone and the network to go through the emergency call procedure, just not connect to th

I wonder if there should be a 911-like test number that would cause the phone and the network to go through the emergency call procedure, just not connect to the actual call center.

phh 5y ago
Yes please. I develop Android custom ROMs and I have no idea whether I'm putting people's lives in danger. And it's not just whether calling works, but also E911. Even when I used to work at a smartphone maker we didn't have any process for that.
- londons_explore 5y ago
  Just call 911, and when connected state that it's a test call and hang up. 911 calls have plenty of capacity for occasional test calls, and the need to test them clearly is important to reduce the risk of them not working when needed. If you need to do automated tests, there is a test flag in the android dialer API which will make the call but mark it with some test flag so you get a recorded message not a human answering.
  - Scramblejams 5y ago
    911 calls have plenty of capacity for occasional test calls That is not an assumption I would want to make. There are plenty of accounts out there of sporadic staffing problems at emergency call centers. It appears the right way to do this is to get an appointment. More details here: https://www.911.gov/frequently_asked_questions.html https://www.911.gov/frequently_asked_questions.html
  - Jaruzel 5y ago
    Remember that an OS ROM (especially a custom one) may not be just for one particular country or region. Here in the UK the emergency number is 999 (and also 112 on mobiles) and we are constantly told that the emergency services are understaffed, so making test calls would be irresponsible.
  - allyant 5y ago
    Do not do this - I believe it may even be illegal in the UK without per-arranging. In the UK you need to email BT (who operate the emergency system) and arrange a window to place a series of test calls to both 999 and 112. They will give you a time, a date and a script to exactly follow. If you pre-schedule with them it's supported. Their email is 999testcalls@bt.com Not sure if US have a system like it.
- sergiomattei 5y ago
  Hi phh - huge fan of your work over at XDA!
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
david_allison 5y ago
Would love to see 0118 999 881 999 119 725 3 used here. Google already special-cases it in the dialler.

I wonder if there should be a 911-like test number that would cause the phone and the network to go through the emergency call procedure, just not connect to the actual call center.

phh 5y ago

Yes please. I develop Android custom ROMs and I have no idea whether I'm putting people's lives in danger. And it's not just whether calling works, but also E911. Even when I used to work at a smartphone maker we didn't have any process for that.

londons_explore 5y ago
Just call 911, and when connected state that it's a test call and hang up. 911 calls have plenty of capacity for occasional test calls, and the need to test them clearly is important to reduce the risk of them not working when needed. If you need to do automated tests, there is a test flag in the android dialer API which will make the call but mark it with some test flag so you get a recorded message not a human answering.
- Scramblejams 5y ago
  911 calls have plenty of capacity for occasional test calls That is not an assumption I would want to make. There are plenty of accounts out there of sporadic staffing problems at emergency call centers. It appears the right way to do this is to get an appointment. More details here: https://www.911.gov/frequently_asked_questions.html https://www.911.gov/frequently_asked_questions.html
- Jaruzel 5y ago
  Remember that an OS ROM (especially a custom one) may not be just for one particular country or region. Here in the UK the emergency number is 999 (and also 112 on mobiles) and we are constantly told that the emergency services are understaffed, so making test calls would be irresponsible.
- allyant 5y ago
  Do not do this - I believe it may even be illegal in the UK without per-arranging. In the UK you need to email BT (who operate the emergency system) and arrange a window to place a series of test calls to both 999 and 112. They will give you a time, a date and a script to exactly follow. If you pre-schedule with them it's supported. Their email is 999testcalls@bt.com Not sure if US have a system like it.
sergiomattei 5y ago
Hi phh - huge fan of your work over at XDA!

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

david_allison 5y ago

Would love to see 0118 999 881 999 119 725 3 used here. Google already special-cases it in the dialler.