Pennsylvania Statutes Title 72 P.S. Taxation and Fiscal Affairs § 101-K. Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“911 communication.”  Transmission of information to a PSAP for the initial reporting of police, fire, medical or other emergency situation.

“911 communications service.”  As follows:

(1) A service that allows the two-way transmission, conveyance or routing of voice, data, audio, video or any information of signals, including cable and Internet protocol services, to a point or between or among points by or through any electronic, radio, satellite, cable, optical, microwave or other medium or method in existence on or after the effective date of this definition, regardless of protocol used for the transmission or conveyance, only if that service is capable of contacting a PSAP by entering or dialing the digits 911 and is subject to applicable Federal or State requirements to provide the 911 dialing capability.

(2) The term does not include wireless and Internet-protocol-enabled services that are exempt from Federal Communications Commission regulations for 911 communications service, 911 service and next generation 911 service.

“911 system.”  A system capable of receiving and processing a 911 communication throughout a defined geographic area.  The term shall include a county or county-based regional 911 system or a PSAP.

“Agency.”  The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

“Call.”  A two-way communication established using a 911 communications service.

“Next generation 911 service.”  911 service using, in whole or in part, next generation 911 technology.

“Next generation 911 technology.”  Equipment, products or services that enable a PSAP to receive calls for emergency assistance by voice, text, video, Internet protocol or other technology authorized by Federal law, regulation or industry standard. The term includes any new technology with the same or similar functionality.

“Public safety answering point” or “PSAP.”  The agency-approved entity that receives 911 communications from a defined geographic area and processes those calls according to a specific operational policy.  The term shall refer to a county or county-based regional 911 system.

“Regional.”  A geographic area that includes more than one county.