Availability of Next Generation 911 Is Important to Older Americans

Emergency contact systems such as 911 are essential to the health and safety of our nation’s communities and can oftentimes be the difference between life and death.  So, maintaining and upgrading our nation’s 911 systems is critical. 

Next Generation 911 (NG911) is an advanced emergency communications system that uses Internet Protocol (IP)–based technology, like 4G and 5G mobile services, to support data and multimedia communications.  This updated system will improve emergency response times and location information, enable video and text capabilities for real time information sharing, and provide stronger network reliability.  Currently only 13 states and territories have fully operational NG911 systems in place, while other states are in various stages of implementation or still faced with older infrastructures that struggle to meet public safety demands. 

This new AARP survey of Americans 50 and older found that across age and income groups, most (86%) older adults say it is important to them that NG911 services are available in their state and local community, and another majority (88%) say it’s very important to them that these services are regularly maintained and updated.  So not surprisingly, two-thirds (66%) of Americans are willing to pay for upgraded NG911 services in their state and local communities. 

To help with this situation, AARP continues to advocate for expanded access to NG911 in our communities. This work includes outreach to federal policymakers and other consumer groups to support increased data gathering, to pursue dedicated funding to expand NG911 networks and to educate decision makers about why 911 issues matter to older adults.

Methodology

This poll of 1,009 U.S. adults age 50 and older was fielded April 10, 2025, through April 14, 2025, using the Foresight 50+ Consumer Omnibus that draws from a probability-based panel. This panel is funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, designed to be representative of the U.S. household population 50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, region.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Sauer at jsauer@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.