http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/02/24/universal_service/
Seems like a mad idea ripe for abuse by the yoof.
Youfs won't want the problems of using the scheme, phones must be pre-registered and then validated. In Germany the mobile phone companies disconnect and bar any phone that has been used to make false alarms, thereafter that phone is just a brick.
An expensive joke to play.
Ah yes, missed thast bit.
Which makes it a good idea...
For deaf people certainly, not quite sure how well the cell positioning will work if you are only within range of a singal cell a couple of miles away although of course they can get a rough idea from antenna sector it is connected to and the strength.
Not just deaf, Mitch, but those unable to speak, eg in the middle of an asthma attack.
Indeed, I expect a lot of phones manufactured for the UK market may start to have GPS by default and not just the high end ones as now.
Although how well that would work indoors is moot. I'd create a range of SMS templates myself so I could point and push.