The 999 text service is an alternative to ringing for support. It's useful for anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing or has speech impediments. It's also an easy and safe way for people in vulnerable situations to access emergency services without drawing attention to making a phonecall. You need to register for the service in advance and it is recommended that you only use emergency SMS to contact the emergency services only if you've no other option. This is because it will take longer than the standard voice 999 service or the Text Relay 18000 service. Find out more about how to set up your registration below.