2026 Agenda

Next-Generation 911 (NG911) leverages open IP standards to deliver voice, video, real-time text, and data from any device to Public Safety Telecommunicators (PSTs) and first responders. While over-the-top (OTT) applications provide limited capability and may bypass emergency networks, native SIP/IMS emergency services ensure lawful routing, Quality of Service (QoS), and accountability.

Building on results from the NGES Innovation Lab, this session demonstrates seamless end-to-end multimedia emergency calls—including bi-directional conversational video and real-time text—using only standards-based signaling and media. It will define the minimum technical requirements that Call Handling System (CHS) vendors must implement to interwork with GSMA IR.94-compliant user equipment (UEs).

A live demonstration will highlight the operational benefits of native multimedia services: enhanced situational awareness, richer contextual data, and accessibility for sign-language users through Total Conversation (voice, video, and text). The session will also preview GSMA NG.114 (Voice, Video, and Messaging over 5GS), showing how 5G introduces dedicated QoS flows and enriched messaging. Attendees will gain an understanding of how NG.114 builds on IR.94, and how standards-based IMS/i3 implementations compare with OTT approaches in terms of reliability, interoperability, and long-term sustainability.

Takeaway

1. Understand interworking requirements for IR.94 UEs and call‑handling systems. Learn the technical, functional and procedural requirements—covering SIP signaling, SDP negotiation, codecs, RTCP feedback, geolocation and emergency URNs—that CHS vendors must implement to guarantee interoperability with IR.94‑compliant smartphones. These requirements are grounded in 3GPP TS 26.114, NENA i3 and STA‑023 and ensure that voice, video and real‑time text can flow seamlessly across 4G networks and NGCS/ESInets.
2. Experience a live end‑to‑end native multimedia call. See a demonstration of a real‑time video, voice and text call between a 4G smartphone and an i3‑compliant PSAP, highlighting bi‑directional video, send‑recv capabilities, PSAP callback with video, and real‑time location transfer. Understand how these capabilities improve situational awareness, accessibility and responder guidance compared with legacy voice‑only calls.
3. Compare standards‑based services with over‑the‑top (OTT) apps. Recognize that only native SIP/IMS emergency services provide prioritization, QoS, encryption and legal accountability. OTT video apps may lack reliable routing or QoS and cannot replace standards‑based NG9‑1‑1 solutions.
4. Prepare for NG.114 and the 5G future. Explore how the upcoming NG.114 IMS profile for voice, video and messaging over 5GS expands capabilities to 5G networks, introduces 5QI‑based QoS flows for emergency sessions and integrates RCS messaging and data channels. Learn how PSAPs and vendors should evolve their architectures to support NG.114 while maintaining backward compatibility with IR.94.