911

[John Seth]

VoIP E911 service is a bit better now, thanks to the FCC raising hell 
with VoIP providers.  The issue, originally, is that when you took your 
VoIP phone somewhere, and called 911, you *might* have gotten a 
non-emergency phone number to anywhere.  In other words, you ordered 
service in Buffalo, NY and took your phone with you when you traveled to 
Houston, TX.  You slip and fall and are in need of 911, so you call... 
only to find out that the 911 number you called was actually redirected 
to a non-essential phone number in Buffalo that no one is answering 
since it's 2am. This issue happened too many times, many people died 
since they themselves, or other people attempted to use VoIP phones for 
911... thus prompting the FCC to take action and require VoIP providers 
to provide proper 911 services.

The FCC recently stepped in and said VoIP providers MUST provide a 
proper 911 solution, or clearly state and repeat several times, and make 
the customer sign a waiver stating 911 is not available.  Since people 
wouldn't go for that, the typical response of VoIP providers is to ask 
customers for the physical address of the VoIP phone system.  Then, they 
send any 911 calls to the local 911 center WITH the details you 
provide.  Here's the sticky part though....

If you pick up your VoIP phone and take it to Houston, you MUST update 
your providers directory information, or else your 911 call WILL go to 
the Buffalo address.  The information you give to your provider is sent 
to the 911 call center, just the same as if your normal phone made the 
call.

Having just moved to Phoenix, AZ ... I opted to buy my Cable TV, Cable 
Internet and VoIP service in one package, thus sparing me of a landline 
phone for $20 more per month.  I hope this clears up VoIP issues.  Also, 
if your VoIP provider is sending your 911 calls to 
non-essential/non-emergency phone numbers, report them... it is now 
illegal to do so.

 -   Tony


JJ Neff wrote:
> Vonage actually suggest you call 911 ONCE when you have VOIP to test 
> that you
> get routed and answered.
>
> JJN
>
> --- vlok stone <vlokstone at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>  
>> That's what I thought. Never tried because I don't
>> know the repercussions. Actually when you get no voice
>> dsl they assign you a telephone number. Mine is
>> ###-#### although when you call it says it's
>> disconnected. So can you call 911 as a test
>> or do they get really pissed if you do that?
>>
>> --- JJ Neff <jjneff at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>    
>>> Yes it goes to call center type solution and
>>> depending on your situation this
>>> may not be manned 24X7.  Since you can pick up your
>>> VOIP device and plunk it
>>> down in, say, Tucson AZ, tmrw they have no way to
>>> tie your device to a
>>> location, thus the manual address.
>>> It also will not do enhanced 911 ( although VOnage
>>> claims it is in the works)
>>> where if you dial, your address automatically shows
>>> up even if no one can
>>> speak.
>>>
>>> These risks are VERY well documented and I do
>>> believe a land line has to dial
>>> 911 if it is connected - even if no active service
>>> is enabled.  Folks with
>>> serious medical concerns should definitely keep a
>>> backup
>>>
>>> JJ
>>>
>>> --- Josh Johnson <joshj at linuxmail.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>      
>>>> I have vonnage. I'm not sure if it is required or mandatory for 
>>>> them, but they have a 911 solution. You have to signup for it. Fill 
>>>> out a form that gives your street address, etc (since they can't 
>>>> trace your call to an address). Then when I call 911, my 
>>>> understanding is that it doesn't go to an official 911 center, but 
>>>> it goes somewhere where they can dispatch the appropriate 
>>>> authorities and they will have my address. HTH
>>>>
>>>> -Josh
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.nflug.org/pipermail/nflug/attachments/20051008/e7ded21e/attachment-0001.html