The Massachusetts State 911 Department has notified carriers that it is in the process of transitioning to Next Generation 9-1-1 services (NG9-1-1). General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has been selected to develop, implement, and operate the NG9-1-1 system in Massachusetts. GDIT will deploy a NG9-1-1 emergency telecommunications system that will support the delivery of 9-1-1 voice calls to all of the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) throughout the Commonwealth. GDIT announced that Massachusetts becomes one of the first states in the nation to begin transitioning to a statewide NG9-1-1 system that complies with the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) i3 standards. Initial deployment will support voice calls and text messages, and the system will have the functionality to provide the delivery, receipt, and display of videos, and/or photographs in the future.
The transition will require the cooperation of all telecommunications services providers (TSPs) 
including wireline, wireless, and VoIP service providers. Prior to the end of 2014, GDIT will begin discussions and coordination with each of the TSPs to terminate all 9-1-1 traffic to the data centers in Andover and Northborough, Massachusetts, and away from the current Enhanced 9-1-1 Selective Routers currently provided by Verizon. In addition, the transition will require that all TSPs interconnect with the NG9-1-1 database management system (DBMS) to deliver Service Order Information (SOI) records, on a daily basis. During the transition period, which is currently anticipated to be through calendar year 2016, the TSPs will have to provide SOI records to both the Verizon 9-1-1 DBMS and the newly established NG9-1-1 DBMS to assure continuity for the delivery of 9-1-1 calls during the required dual maintenance period.
“This vitally important system transition enhances the safety of 9-1-1 users in the Commonwealth by allowing the public better, easier access to emergency responders,” said Massachusetts Public Safety Secretary Andrea Cabral. “It will effectively transform our analog based system into an IP- based system making it compatible with today’s changing technology and communication methods.”
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