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VoIP Does Not Support Traditional Enhanced 9-1-1
Posted by : pbc.madler on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 07:01 PM
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A new technology stands ready to transform the landscape of telephone service. Consumers with an existing high speed internet connection such an BellSouth’s “Fast Access” or Adelphia’s “PowerLink” will be able to purchase telephone service that utilizes the internet to make and receive telephone calls.. They also offer free or inexpensive long distance calling to the whole northern hemisphere along with other new features that are unavailable or expensive with conventional wire-line telephone service. Vonage is one company that presently offers “broadband” or VoIP telephone service. AT&T, BellSouth and others will be rolling out this new technology within months.One feature of this service is the ability to make and receive telephone calls wherever a high speed internet connection is available. This means that if I travel, I can take my phone with me and plug it into high speed or broadband connections wherever I go.Unfortunately, this new technology currently DOES NOT support traditional enhanced 9-1-1 service! Since the VoIP telephone is mobile and because of the nature of the internet, routing calls to 9-1-1 answering points automatically over 9-1-1 lines is not possible. Currently, there is no provision to transmit the caller’s telephone number and location to the 9-1-1 call-taker.
Until these VoIP providers can determine how to provide all of the features of enhanced 9-1-1, it is important for consumers to be aware of what their VoIP telephone provider offers for 9-1-1. The VoIP telephone provider may not offer any kind of 9-1-1 service. In this case, some notation should be made on the phone prohibiting the use on 9-1-1 on that phone and identifying the telephone numbers for police, fire, and emergency medical services for anyone who might use the phone and not be aware that this service is not available. Some VoIP telephone companies offer some kind of 9-1-1 service but with limitations and requirements. They may allow you to sign up for VoIP 9-1-1 service and provide information that will establish the location of the telephone to determine the routing of 9-1-1 calls. They may even ask the consumer to provide a telephone number that 9-1-1 calls should be directed to. Care should be taken to identify the local 9-1-1 answering point responsible for handling traditional 9-1-1 calls from your location and what telephone number they will accept these VoIP 9-1-1 calls. This will work well as long as the telephone is not moved from this address. If the VoIP telephone is used during travel or relocated, the consumer will have to update this information each time the phone is relocated to ensure that 9-1-1 calls will be routed correctly. Even so, with this type of VoIP service the call will not come into the 9-1-1 answering point on 9-1-1 telephone lines, which are answered before all other lines. The call-taker will not automatically have a telephone number to call you back or your location.
Very simply, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). Before an emergency occurs, make sure that 9-1-1 is available. Either take full advantage of 9-1-1 services provided by the VoIP telephone provider and update them as required, have an alternative means of contacting 9-1-1 on a designated traditional telephone line, or display on the telephone that 9-1-1 is not available on that phone along with telephone numbers to contact police, fire, or emergency medical services.
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| VoIP Does Not Support Traditional Enhanced 9-1-1 | Log-in or register a new user account | 0 Comments |
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