MONTPELIER, Vt. — The four major U.S. wireless phone companies are providing emergency texting 911 service as of this month to any local government that wants it and has the capability to use it.

The change is seen as a big step toward moving the nation's emergency dispatch system out of the voice-only technology that dates to the 1960s.

Local governments in 16 states are using it, according to the Federal Communications Commission, and Vermont became the first to offer the technology statewide Monday.

“This is a big deal,” Brian Fontes, the chief executive officer of the Virginia-based National Emergency Number Association, said of the four major carriers offering text-to-911.

“It's been a long time — years, decades — since our nation's 911 systems have been advanced. They are pretty much still almost 100 percent voice-centric, 1960s technology.”

The four major providers — Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and AT&T — voluntarily committed to providing the service by May 15.

The FCC has required all service providers to start offering it by the end of the year.

The text-to-911 service is now limited to text only photos; videos and location information will have to wait for the next generation of the technology.

NEW YORK — Burger King is scrapping its 40-year-old “Have It Your Way” slogan in favor of the more personal “Be Your Way.”The chain said the new tag line will roll out across its marketing in the U.S., including in a TV ad.The line made its first appearance in an online video last month.Burger King said in a statement that the new motto is intended to remind people that “they can and should live how they want anytime. It's OK to not be perfect ... Self-expression is most important and it's our differences that make us individuals instead of robots.”