Verizon has already announced its own text-to-911 service for next year, which would be the first of its kind in the United States. But no cell phone carrier stands alone, and three other prominent carriers have jumped on board.

AT&T, T-Mobile and the Now Network will join Verizon in a joint effort with the 911 Association to implement text-to-911 services.

At the moment, this agreement is awaiting FCC approval. It would be exactly what it sounds like: anyone in peril can send a text to 911, explaining exactly what the trouble is. Given the troubling yet necessary need to sometimes be silent while making such a call, it makes a great deal of sense. The strangest thing about it is that it doesn't yet exist.

The plans, at the moment, are to launch the service in early 2014, with the initial rollout complete by May.

Via Android Community