Unable to call local emergency number, only 112

Bug Reports
21 
Contains the list of emergency numbers recognized
by oFono.  This list is based on the default set
of numbers provided by the specification and any
extra numbers provisioned by the carrier on the
SIM.

You can read it via dbus like this:

[defaultuser@Xperia10III ~]$ dbus-send --system --print-reply --dest=org.ofono /ril_0 org.ofono.VoiceCallManager.GetProperties
method return time=1731360615.259762 sender=:1.11 -> destination=:1.322 serial=3271 reply_serial=2
   array [
      dict entry(
         string "EmergencyNumbers"
         variant             array [
               string "911"
               string "110"
               string "112"
            ]
      )
   ]
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22

IIRC either 112 (most of the world) or 911 (USA etc.) shall work on any mobile phone under all circumstances.

23

I don’t know if I correctly recall this, but emergency numbers can be called though any operator, not just the one connected to. Also, when no sim is inserted, no operator can be (fully?) connected to. So where would the phone get the list of emergency numbers when no connection is set up? The easy solution is by having a list builtin, therefore having no dependency on external systems for the ‘can I call this number’ check.

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24

As I remember what I was told from informed people (long ago), if one activates emergency call on a phone, any provider-, contract-, credit- and billing stuff is ignored, the phone connect to the nearest/strongest base station/tower that’s available and establishes a connection with priority and if necessary also interrupts ongoing normal traffic on radio channel to ensure establishing a connection as quick as possible.

25

To make emergency calls over 4G, devices must meet the following functionalities of the GSMA standard (Requirement NG. 119):

Emergency Number List functionality

IMS Emergency Registration via SOS APN

Emergency call functionality via SOS URN

If the device does not support these functionalities, an emergency call over the 4G network is not possible.

26

In Switzerland, 3G networks will be shut down starting in 2026. Emergency calls will no longer be possible after that time.

27

I don’t think jolla can rewrite the C2 devices.

28

What about 2G in Switzerland? As long as 2G exists, phone calls should remain possible without VoLTE.

29

G2 hasn’t been available in Switzerland for a long time. New technologies constantly force people to buy new devices. Most people think it’s great.

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30

I think we should distinguish two things:

  1. the notion of an emergency number in the sense of mobile networks:
  • triggers a particular sequence on the towers to give it priority;
  • works without pre-paid money;
  • works without a SIM.
    In this sense, this is the list of numbers that @olf has cited.
  1. the purpose of an Emergency Call screen:
  • to enable ME to call emergencies faster without having to type my lock code;
  • to enable anyone who finds MY phone locked next to me in any accident, to be able to call for help for me.
    In the sense 2., there is no need to restrict to the emergency number in the sense of GSMA. If I visit Austria and pass out, I really want SFOS to allow anyone who finds me unconscious to be able to call 144 for ambulance on my phone, if it’s the first number that occurs to their mind. This is very likely to happen if say I fall while repairing something at my parent’s house. There is zero chance my old parents know about 112, they’ll use the local number at their place, and I might just die.

I imagine two possibilities:

  1. The cumbersome one, which is for SFOS to allow a wider list of two or three digit numbers to be dialled on the emergency screen (those which are not “emergency” as per GSMA but will still save my life or someone else’s life when dialled).
  2. Another possibility is to add a “panic mode”. I believe there is no purpose of a screen with a 9 digit dial if only one number is expected to be typed. This is why Android has a panic mode with 5 presses on the power button calling a screen to confirm whether the user wants to call emergencies, with no notion of a number. I’m not saying SFOS should replace the typing screen with a panic mode. The dial might be useful for people to directly call Police or Fire brigade or Ambulances if they what they are doing. But a panic button could be added there with a suitable pictogram e.g. :ambulance: and simplify the workflow in the common case.
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