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<div class="moz-text-flowed"
style="font-family: -moz-fixed; font-size: 13px;" lang="x-western">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 <b class="moz-txt-star"><span
class="moz-txt-tag">*</span>might<span class="moz-txt-tag">*</span></b>
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.
<br>
<br>
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....
<br>
<br>
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.
<br>
<br>
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.
<br>
<br>
- Tony
<br>
<br>
<br>
JJ Neff wrote:
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">Vonage actually suggest you call 911 ONCE when
you have VOIP to test that you
<br>
get routed and answered.
<br>
<br>
JJN
<br>
<br>
--- vlok stone <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E"
href="mailto:vlokstone@yahoo.com"><vlokstone@yahoo.com></a>
wrote:
<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">That's what I thought. Never tried because I
don't
<br>
know the repercussions. Actually when you get no voice
<br>
dsl they assign you a telephone number. Mine is
<br>
###-#### although when you call it says it's
<br>
disconnected. So can you call 911 as a test
<br>
or do they get really pissed if you do that?
<br>
<br>
--- JJ Neff <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E"
href="mailto:jjneff@yahoo.com"><jjneff@yahoo.com></a> wrote:
<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">Yes it goes to call center type solution
and
<br>
depending on your situation this
<br>
may not be manned 24X7. Since you can pick up your
<br>
VOIP device and plunk it
<br>
down in, say, Tucson AZ, tmrw they have no way to
<br>
tie your device to a
<br>
location, thus the manual address. <br>
It also will not do enhanced 911 ( although VOnage
<br>
claims it is in the works)
<br>
where if you dial, your address automatically shows
<br>
up even if no one can
<br>
speak.
<br>
<br>
These risks are VERY well documented and I do
<br>
believe a land line has to dial
<br>
911 if it is connected - even if no active service
<br>
is enabled. Folks with
<br>
serious medical concerns should definitely keep a
<br>
backup
<br>
<br>
JJ
<br>
<br>
--- Josh Johnson <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E"
href="mailto:joshj@linuxmail.org"><joshj@linuxmail.org></a>
wrote:
<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">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
<br>
<br>
-Josh
<br>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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