Initial
implementations of Voice over IP telephone
systems were not integreated with the 911
system at all, meaning that customers could
not even dial 911 in the event of an emergency.
However, the Federal Communications Commission
has mandated all VoIP providers to provide
911 service, including the E911 feature.
On June 3, 2005, the FCC adopted
rules requiring providers of VoIP services
that connect with the traditional telephone
network to supply E911 capabilities to their
customers. The E911 hookup may be directly
with the Wireline E911 Network, indirectly
through a third party such as a competitive
local exchange carrier (CLEC), or by any
other technical means. The FCC explained
that they felt compelled to issue this mandate
because of the public safety concerns. (FCC,
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, WC Docket
No. 05-196 available at [1]. Last visited
September 18, 2005).)
There are, however, complicated
technological problems with implementing
E911 with VoIP, which providers are attempting
to solve. For example, Vonage, has encouraged
its customers to register their locations
from which their 911 calls could be routed
to the local public safety answering point.
(Phil Weiser, Digital Crossroads, 2005,
222.) The FCC had continued to add more
requirements and mandate a more sophisticated
911 function.
In some cases, VoIP providers
are attempting to connect customers to E911
services through the traditional fixed-line
telephone network, but the network is controlled
by telecom carriers who are their economic
competitors. (Grant Gross, FCC extends VoIP
E911 deadline, August 26, 2005 available
at [2] last visited September, 18 2005.)
In March, Texas Attorney General
Greg Abbott filed a lawsuit against Vonage
for deceptive marketing practices by not
making it clear that VoIP users had to actually
sign up for E911 service. Then in May, the
FCC ordered VoIP providers to offer E911
service by late November. (Grant Gross,
FCC extends VoIP E911 deadline, August 26,
2005 available at [3]. Last visited September,
18 2005.)
In June, 2005, the FCC announced
that customers must respond to the E911
VoIP warning and those who do not have their
service cut off on August 30, 2005. The
FCC extended the deadline to September 28,
2005. (Gross - Ibid.) As of November 29,
2005, some VoIP providers were significantly
out of compliance with the order. The FCC
threatened to prevent these companies from
marketing their services or signing up new
customers in non-compliant areas. [4]
There are also other proposed
features that are intended to allow telephone
callers from large corporate telephone networks,
on both traditional and VoIP PBXs, to be
located down to the specific office on a
particular floor of a building. |
