inzomniaq
join:2003-01-12
Houston, TX
| What happens when you dial "0" using VOIP service?
Once upon a time, when 911 was not available to every city in the U.S., even through POTS, we were told to have a list of emergency numbers handy near the phone.
I remember the local sheriff's deputies coming in to our elementary school and handing out bright fluorescent stickers with telephone numbers to the local fire, police, emergency medical services, poison control, etc., that we could stick to our phones (rotary, back in the old days, touch tone was way too new fangled and expensive for us common folk).
We were also told that, if we remember nothing else, or were just too damn (of course they would never use such language in elementary school, I'm just speaking in hyperbole to make a point) lazy to create/obatin a list of emergency numbers, to dial 0 to get the operator, who could then patch a caller through to an emergency service.
What happens when you dial 0 using a VOIP service? Do you get an operator that can patch you though to an emergency service?
I'm using a metered POTS line (DSL, emergencies only) and also have a cell phone, so I haven't been in a rush to go the VOIP route as my cell plan, like y'alls, includes long distance.
In fact, I remember all kinds of emergency procedures being taught in elementary school. Is this no longer part of the school curiculum anymore? Don't mean to digress too much. Maybe that question is better posed in another Topic/Thread. |
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calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| Dialing "0" worked pretty well when each town had its own operators. Now even the Baby Bells consolidate operator centers over large regions, and other providers may consolidate their operator service nationwide.
None of these consolidated operators has nearly the local knowledge necessary to "patch" callers through to the local ambulance, police, or fire--or even to know which 9-1-1 PSAP should get the call. Imagine some operator in Tulsa, Oklahoma trying to guess which ambulance company serves rural Nehi county in some state on the eastern seaboard.
(And yes, a computerized database could make this much easier--but the authorities are correct in saying the computerized database should focus on routing emergency calls AUTOMATICALLY through 9-1-1, rather than injecting yet one more unknowledgable person into the mix.)
In essence, dialing "0" isn't a good idea anymore--the industry has grown beyond that, just like many other industries have changed in a developing world.
calvoiper
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VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies! |
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inzomniaq
join:2003-01-12
Houston, TX
| Re: What happens when you dial "0" using VOIP serv
Sure, an automatically routed call from a number everyone could remember would certainly be ideal. I agree this is preferrable to dialing an operator or some additional, potentially unknowledgeable, person for assistance. I was just wondering if dialing 0 would still be viable in the event of 911 not being available or down due to a glitch.
OK, so scratch dialing 0 as a quick backup plan.
Still, there are 7 (or 10) digit emergency numbers to each of the various local emergency services. Would it also not be possible to use directory services to look such numbers up if not able to patch one through?
Sure, I realize this isn't as good as an automatically routed 911 call, certainly not as fast, and that when people are under pressure, viable options don't always present themselves at the moment you need them.
But I'm just thinking 'what if...?' here. |
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u fucking liar too
@216.64.x.x | reply to calvoiper
Re: What happens when you dial "0" using VOIP service?
WRONG operators can patch you through... based on the number you call from Ma Bell patches you right into the 911 circuits!!! or local whatever you need... |
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inzomniaq
join:2003-01-12
Houston, TX
| Re: What happens when you dial "0" using VOIP serv
Sounds like I'll need to do a little more digging...
I guessing, though, that when you dial operator on a VOIP service that 'competes' with Ma Bell, you don't get Ma Bell.
Can/will the VOIP service providers' operators do the same as Ma Bell operators in terms of patching one through to the local 911 service based on the number one is calling from, even if one doesn't have an enhanced 911 service?
Guess it makes sense to either have alternate numbers handy or even programmed into speed dial, if one doesn't have an alternate phone service. |
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calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| reply to u fucking liar too
Re: What happens when you dial "0" using VOIP service?
said by u fucking liar too :
WRONG operators can patch you through... based on the number you call from Ma Bell patches you right into the 911 circuits!!! or local whatever you need...
Typical trolling post from an unregistered user....
Ma Bell can "patch you through" because the Bell company has your service address AND has already cross referenced it for 9-1-1 purposes--which is EXACTLY what the FCC is now trying to force VOIP providers to do. Your VOIP provider may well not know where you are calling from, and even if you can give an accurate address, may not have the facilities to get the necessary numbers in real time.
I repeat my earlier point--if you're going to create the database necessary for operators to do this, you're much better off making it work for 9-1-1 FIRST, and then bringing operator services on line with it later.
calvoiper
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VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies! |
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