[bb88]

Yes, but I think the issue I see is that all exploits that gain root post-EOL could then interfere with dialing, right?

It's not just some bad-app on the play store (though that is one approach I believe google could use).

It's the fact that the android OS is EOL after 3 years, and the user is still using it as his main phone -- and needs 911 services.

[onion2k]

EOL does mean something. I don't believe 3 years is long enough personally, but even if it was 10 years the same problem would exist, just for older phones. Then it becomes a semantic argument about where phones should ever have an EOL date for critical fixes.

I think Google would argue that malware interfering with your phone after its EOL date is a reason why you should upgrade your phone to a newer model rather than use that as a reason to extend the life of their phone software indefinitely.