Germany to Require Active SIM Card to Make Emergency Calls

Germany's telecoms regulator, the Federal Network Agency has announced a subtle change to the regulations covering emergency calls made from mobile phones. Under the change, starting on 1 July 2009, emergency calls made from mobile phones in Germany will only be possible with an active SIM card.

Currently, it is possible to call the emergency number 112 from any mobile phone, even if a SIM card is not fitted inside the handset.

The regulator said that the change will make it easier to identify the person making malicious or abusive calls to the emergency services.

Emergency calls can also be made even if the card is blocked for outgoing, chargeable calls or if there is no credit left on a prepaid card account. Merely an activated SIM card is needed. If the emergency call cannot be established over the caller's own provider, it will be set up via another mobile network.

Posted to the site on 28th June 2009