Will FCC Ruling Force Broadband VoIP Providers to Dial 911?

The Federal Communications Commission recently ruled that broadband providers of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) phone services must supply enhanced 911 (E911) emergency calling capabilities. Recent incidents in which users of interconnected VoIP dialed 911 but were not able to reach emergency operators  prompted the ruling.  The order stated:

• Broadband VoIP providers must deliver all 911 calls to the customer’s local emergency operator. 
• VoIP providers must provide emergency operators with the call back number and location information. 
• VoIP providers must inform their customers of the E911 capabilities and limitations of their broadband service. 
• Local phone companies must provide access to their E911 networks to broadband Voice over Internet Protocol companies.   

While the FCC viewed the decision as a balanced approach for consumers, public safety, and VoIP providers, many in the Internet community expressed concern regarding its impact on the fledgling broadband VOIP industry. One of the major problems in providing 911 service to VOIP customers is that calls can be made anywhere there is an Internet connection, making is all but impossible for 911 operators to identify the location of the call. Another is that connection to a 911 operator would not be possible for a VOIP customer in the event of a power failure or loss of Internet connection.

At the same time, there is legitimate concern that consumers are not properly informed about the lack of 911 capabilities in some broadband VoIP phones. Since Internet phones look the same as regular telephones, even if the home owner understands that 911 doesn't work with VoIP, someone else in the house, like a babysitter or guest, might not know that. Others suggest that a second line makes sense for emergency use because there are too many things that could wrong at critical times, like power outages or dropped connections, to rely on VoIP in an emergency.

Some in the broadband VoIP community feel that the ruling is a thinly disguised attempt to eliminate IP-based innovators under the guise of public safety by forcing them to buy a service monopolized by traditional telephone companies. Others feel the FCC rulemaking may stimulate broadband VoIP entrepreneurs to develop new suites of broadband communication services.

Verizon and SBC already have stated that they will speed the process of providing VoIP access to 911. In response to growing attention over the VoIP limitations, SBC recently offered to negotiate an agreement with Vonage, connecting the company to the SBC 911 infrastructure. As the FCC involvement grows, it is likely that all VoIP providers will be involved in similar access deals to meet governmental requirements.

• http://www.advancedippipeline.com/163101312
• http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=33733