| VoIP Emergency Calls |
|
|
E911 service delivers address-specific (versus phone number-only)
call-back information to public service answering points (PSAPs) whenever someone
makes an emergency call. This enables emergency personnel to be dispatched to
the scene even if the caller is unable to speak or if the call is suddenly disconnected.
On June 3rd, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that all Internet phone service providers interconnected to the public switched telephone network offer E911 as a standard element of their residential and business offerings. The FCC has also required Internet phone service providers to inform subscribers that, under certain circumstances, when 911 is dialed from a phone connected to an Internet phone service, E911 service may not be available, or the E911 service may be in some way be limited by comparison to traditional E911 service. These circumstances include: A similar Mandate will surely arrive in the United Kingdom.
Ofcom has been looking into regulation
of VoIP services and has consulted widely. The question of access to the emergency
services has been the hottest issue. The conclusions should be available soon,
although Ofcom has already indicated that it favours light regulation. |