DrTCP
Yours truly
Premium,ExMod 1999-04
join:1999-11-09
Round Rock, TX
| reply to clecrupt9
Re: I smell the RBOC's here
I agree VoIP as "secondary line" phone service is except from 911 requirements. They should make clear that their 911 service is "best effort" service (aka Cell Phone E911 services) and might not be available all the time.
Perhaps they should not have called it 911 but with some other number but 911 is the easiest number remembered during emergencies that would be worse. The least you want at the emergency is looking up a number which your equipment is functioning perfectly and ready to deliver the call. |
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Eat Me
join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
 ·PenTeleData
 ·Future Nine Corpor..
·VOIPo
·Vonage
| said by DrTCP  :
I agree VoIP as "secondary line" phone service is except from 911 requirements. They should make clear that their 911 service is "best effort" service (aka Cell Phone E911 services) and might not be available all the time.
But they do make it clear:
"How is this different from dialing 911 on a regular land line?
Vonage routes your call to the Public Service Answering Point (PSAP) providing emergency services in your area. The appropriate PSAP is determined by the physical address you supplied. Therefore, if we do not have the correct address your call cannot be routed to the corresponding PSAP for your area. Another difference between Vonage's dialing 911 service and traditional 911 services is that the Vonage call will be routed to PSAP's general access line, which is different from the 911 Emergency Response Center. You will need to state the nature of your emergency promptly and clearly, including your location and telephone number, as PSAP personnel will not have this information at hand. PSAP personnel can help you effectively and will take necessary steps to provide you with the appropriate assistance, such as dispatching police, an ambulance and/or a fire truck.
Behind the scenes, the call will go to your local emergency response access points immediately if you have provided your address. If you have not given your address, you won't be able to dial 911 at all.
Why do I have to give you my physical address?
Remember that unlike traditional phone lines, Vonage service is portable to any location with broadband Internet access. For example, you can have a New York number and receive calls in Texas. Notifying us of your physical address is the only way to locate the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) serving your area. " |
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clecrupt9
join:2002-01-22
GA
| reply to DrTCP
said by DrTCP :
Perhaps they should not have called it 911 but with some other number but 911 is the easiest number remembered during emergencies that would be worse. The least you want at the emergency is looking up a number which your equipment is functioning perfectly and ready to deliver the call.
Kind of a no win situation isnt it?
One the one hand at least they are doing something, on the other they could really get burned by the regulators, or a massive law suit. The latter is important because Vonage isnt a telecommunications company, and may no be exempt from certain protection. There is no 9-1-1 tariff from Vonage, so who knows how a judge or jury would see the company.
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clecrupt9
join:2002-01-22
GA
| reply to Eat Me
said by Eat Me :
Another difference between Vonage's dialing 911 service and traditional 911 services is that the Vonage call will be routed to PSAP's general access line, which is different from the 911 Emergency Response Center. "
And this may not be the way the center or the State wants to have 911 happen. It would be really nice to hear from center directors on weather this type of 911 is more of a burden on them. Some centers have high response times already. |
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