Requests for emergency services through an iptv network

A method of requesting emergency services through an Internet-Protocol Television (IPTV) network infrastructure, the method comprising:

• receiving, at an IPTV server, a request for an emergency service from an IPTV set-top box of an end user that subscribes to IPTV services;
• forwarding the request for the emergency service from the IPTV server to a management server;
• identifying, in the management server, information regarding the end user from an IPTV account of the end user;
• forwarding the request for the emergency service from the management server to a text message engine;
• formatting a text message in the text message engine for requesting the emergency service;
• inserting the information regarding the end user in the text message;
• and
• sending the text message from the text message engine to an emergency services center.

An apparatus comprising:

• an Internet-Protocol Television (IPTV) network infrastructure comprising:
• an IPTV server coupled to an IPTV set-top box of an end user that subscribes to IPTV services, wherein the IPTV server is configured to receive a web service call requesting an emergency service from the IPTV set-top box;
• a management server configured to receive the web service call from the IPTV server, and to identify information regarding the end user from an IPTV account of the end user;
• and
• a text message engine configured to receive the web service call from the management server, to format a text message for requesting the emergency service, to insert the information regarding the end user in the text message, and to send the text message to an emergency services center.