Accurate caller location in case of an emergency is one of the most significant pieces of information for emergency call takers. Caller location can have a huge impact on the safety of citizens in many ways and helps reduce response times.
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AML stands for Advanced Mobile Location. In the event of an emergency call, an AML-enabled smartphone (all Android and iOS devices worldwide) automatically sends accurate location information of the caller to the emergency services. This information is derived from the location data of the phone (GNSS, Wifi).
AML is not an app; it does not require any action from the caller. AML is simply a protocol to transport the data (using SMS and/or HTTPS) from the smartphone to the emergency call centre. AML is – of course – free of charge. Emergency services are then able to receive this information in all the countries that have deployed AML.
AML was created by John Medland (formerly 999/112 Manager at BT) who started a trial project back in 2014. EENA quickly proposed its help to John to make sure such successful projects could be reproduced across Europe and the world. Since then, we have been working closely with public safety officials, mobile operators and smartphone operating systems providers (among others) to support standardisation and deployments. EENA has also been advocating for AML and handset-based location to find their way into EU legislation, which they did.
The European Electronic Communications Code (Directive 2018/1972/EC) makes it mandatory for all the Member States of the European Union to make use of handset-derived location to locate people calling emergency services starting from December 2020. AML is a technology that enables the provision of such information and thus, ensures compliance with this legislation.
Since March 2022, all the smartphones sold in the European single market must offer the possibility to send handset-derived location information of the caller to the emergency services. This is already the case for a large majority of smartphones, namely all Android and iOS phones.
As the new delegated regulation supplementing the European Electronic Communications Code (directive 2018/1972) has been published, the implementation of caller location criteria (although not specifically AML) is a priority for EU member states right now. The regulation contains more specific rules relating to several topics, including caller location information (find out more in our delegated regulation webinar).
ETSI TS 103 625 is a technical specification developed at European level. It provides for a complete description of the AML protocol.
where is aml deployed?
As of February 2024, over 30 countries worldwide have deployed AML.
Discover the latest AML Report Card and learn everything about the status of AML around the world.
aml success stories
what do emergency services professionals say about aml?
how can eena help you to deploy aml?
EENA can:
- Respond to any questions you may have about AML
- Put you in contact with other public safety officials who have already deployed AML
- Facilitate contact with key contact points at Google and Apple as we maintain regular contact with them
Feel free to contact Benoit Vivier at [email protected]
useful RESOURCES
- AML Frequently Asked Questions
- EENA AML Report Card 2023
- EENA Blog: Where Are We… With Advanced Mobile Location?
- EENA 2024 Conference: ‘How to Address Future Challenges in Caller Location‘
- ETSI Technical Specifications for AML
- AML Specifications & Requirements
- European Electronic Communications Code
- EENA Webinar: New & Effective Solution for AML Roaming
- EENA Webinar: AML: Matching Emergency Communication with the AML Data
- EENA Conference 2021 – Advanced Mobile Location session