This is the Magnavox emergency-only phone that is being sold at many Web-based businesses for about $160.

This uninitialized phone does not have a real phone number, but relies on the fact that carriers must complete any 911 call from a wireless phone, whether or not the person using it is a subscriber.

Two issues have arisen over the use of this and other similar phones:

• The user does not pay any 911 surcharge that might be levied by the local or state jurisdiction to pay for improvements to the 911 system. In particular, the user doesn't help pay for Phase I or II features, even though they will be the recipient of Phase II features if they dial 911.
• Since the phone has no phone number, the caller cannot be recontacted by the dispatcher if the call is interrupted. First, the caller's phone number will not be displayed by a Phase I system, and the caller wouldn't can't supply a number verbally to the dispatcher.

Note that this phone also has a built-in alarm device (siren) for enhancing personal protection.

Check our Wireless 911 page for other information and issues surrounding the subject.