Mobile telekoms companies pledge to support EU's eCall system in automobiles

Much like the services provided by OnStar on select domestic vehicles here in the US, eCall is gaining endorsements by the GSM Association in the EU. During a signing ceremony on September 9, EU countries hope to roll out eCall sooner with the involvement of the telecoms industry, automakers, and emergency services. Originally started four years ago, the eCall device in an automobile will sense major impacts and automatically dial 112, the European emergency number, to inform emergency workers of their location – thus to potentially reduce injuries by 10 percent. Some of the barriers of getting this implemented are the concerns of cost by several countries; which includes training rescue personnel to handle the calls. Now this initiative is only being focused on new cars and the EU is not requiring older vehicles to be retrofitted.

via TG Daily