Beyond 911: Other N-1-1 Codes You Should Know

In addition to 911, there are eight other special short-code numbers.

In the US, the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) defines the format and number scheme for phone numbers, area codes, and exchanges. Additionally, special purpose codes that are 3-digits exist for special services. Of course, the most recognized 3-digit code today is 9-1-1, used to reach local emergency services anywhere and on any device. But were you aware of the other N-1-1 codes in existence, as well as a brand new 9-8-8 code that has been introduced?

While some of these may be familiar to you, in many cases, some may not, and often, these end up missing from an MLTS/PBX dial plan, making them unreachable by users on your MLTS. Here is a complete list of the services and their intended purpose, as well as an introduction to the new 9-8-8 service recently introduced:

• 211—Community Help Services – United Way
• 311—Municipal Government Services?
• 411—Directory Assistance*
• 511—Traffic Information?
• 611—Phone Company Repair*
• 711—TDD and Relay for the Deaf?
• 811—Underground Public Utility Location
• 911—Emergency Services (police, fire, EMS)
• 988—National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

*Note:?While 411 and 611 are reserved and commonly used, they have not been officially assigned by the FCC.

Current N11 numbers reserved for special purposes

211 — Community services

Where available, 211 services provide free and confidential services that help people across North America. Questions about human trafficking, disaster assistance, food, health, housing utilities, as well as jobs and support for veterans or some of the services offered. Often 211 services are operated by the United Way of America. Visit?www.211.org?for information about services available in your area.

311 – Municipal government services

Many large cities have deployed 311 services to offload non-emergency requests from citizens. Without 311, quite often cause of this nature end up at already over-burdened 911 centers, creating further congestion, and potentially blocking emergency call traffic. By deploying a 311 Center, constituents are able to inquire about any service, from trash collection to reporting graffiti, or a pothole requiring street repair. A new trend in centers, as seen in the?Baltimore 311?center, is the ability to accept Multimedia from the public such as pictures. Also, Social Media text messages from Twitter allows citizens to establish an interactive, multimedia touch point that promotes goodwill with citizens young and old. This additional level of constituent interaction creates an environment that brings citizens closer to local government, reducing the hassle while creating a more enjoyable experience.

411 – Reserved (often used for directory services)

Even though the phone company published a printed copy of the telephone book, 411 information services are often established to provide directory assistance or local information. With payphones decreasing and cellular services at the point of saturation, usage of this local service has declined. According to the current NANP, the digits 411 are RESERVED and not assigned by the FCC for any particular service.

511 – Traffic information services

511 has?been established for road and weather information as the transportation and traffic information telephone hotline.?Where available, mobile and landline travelers can dial 511 for information and updates about their location.

611 – Reserved (local telephone company repair)

Like 411 services, 611 has been reserved in the NANP but not specifically assigned to a particular use. In some areas, 611 was historically used as a test code for linemen on the street?or was used to report troubles to the central office from a subscriber.?

711 – Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and relay services

Every telephone company?must connect persons who dial 711 to a Telephone Relay Service (TRS) from a device on a working number. This rule was extended to include all VoIP telephones in July 2007 by the?Federal Communications Commission.

811 – Call before you dig, mark out service

In March of 2005, the FCC established 811 as the universal number that would coordinate location services for underground public utilities. This safety measure not only helps prevents damage that could interrupt telecommunications but also the cutting of subterranean power lines, water mains and natural gas pipes.

911 – Emergencies for police, fire, medical?

Single-number access for all emergency services, including police, fire and medical.

Additional reserved special purpose numbers (NEW)

988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

People experiencing a mental health crisis have a new way to reach out for help in the U.S. Now, individuals can simply call or text the numbers 9-8-8 from any phone. Modeled similarly to the 911 system in the US, the new three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline service is designed to be a memorable and quick number that will connect people who are suicidal or in any other mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional that is capable of providing support and referral to additional services if needed.

Special consideration for PBX/MLTS Systems

Be sure that these numbers have been added to the dial plan of the PBX system in your office. Without them being specifically programmed, they may not be accessible, returning a fast-busy error tone to the caller.

Since the dial plan in the MLTS/PBX should already support the dialing of 911 directly without an access code, prefix or postfix, this identical logic should be applied to each of these numbers to facilitate uniform access to services allowing the access code or just the native number. If your system already supports direct dialing of 911 calls, it will support direct dialing of these additional numbers.