911 Issues with VoIP
One of the things that makes 911 such an effective service is the fact that calls can easily be traced, enabling the rescue teams to respond very promptly to emergencies. Unfortunately, this system of call tracing only works well with landline telephones. How can VoIP deal with this problem?
The technological principles on which VoIP is based are not compatible with the old 911 system. Tracing is easy when you know the exact location of each landline telephone, but when users are free to move and can basically plug in their VoIP adapter or VoIP phone and start using them wherever there is a broadband connection available, things are more difficult. Cellular telephony had the same problem, but the Enhanced 911 (E911) system has solved it. With VoIP, the situation is more complicated, because not all network connections are the same and users are often behind firewalls or using dynamically assigned IP addresses. Tracing the call is not impossible, but it’s very often unreliable. A call originating from a VoIP connection can often only be tracked as far as the ISP – which can mean a very wide possible area.
The problem is actually caused by the fact that the 911 and even E911 systems were designed for telephone communications. VoIP, though it is commonly referred to as Internet telephony, is fundamentally different from phone services, including the mobile ones. The FCC has imposed some regulations requiring VoIP to speed up the process to supporting the 911 service. However, the conceptual incompatibility between the two systems poses some serious obstacles. While research is being done and some steps have already been taken towards the integration of E911 support, you simply cannot rely on the effectiveness of 911 tracing if you are using a VoIP connection.
As a result, some VoIP providers don’t offer 911 calling at all. Others have come up with a partial solution to the problem: when you get your VoIP number, you should register it with 911, so that they will know your default location. If, however, you take your phone with you on a trip, this is no longer a viable solution.
What many people have chosen to do is to keep a landline phone in the home for 911 access. Even though that means you’ll have some extra costs (you’ll need to subscribe to a basic phone service pack), your overall finances will still look better, as the difference in cost between calling via PSTN and VoIP is significant. If a solution is not reached for the compatibility issues between 911 and VoIP, perhaps PSTN will start offering more advantageous subscriptions allowing only 911 access. Come to think of it, it might even be handy to have a phone that dials 911 automatically when you pick it up.
Ifyou have decided to give up your PSTN subscription and you’re calling 911 from your VoIP phone, remember that the dispatcher cannot locate the call. You’ll need to keep your calm and indicate your location to them as precisely as you can. If you think of the possibility of being in an unknown location, it becomes clear that having a cell phone with you at all times is a very sensible decision.
Most of the times, crises can easily be overcome if you can accurately define your present situation. Make sure you understand exactly how the 911 service fits in the plan offered by your VoIP provider. Register your phone with 911 if that is required, as it may often mean the difference between a successful or a failed rescue operation. Your safety is not something you can overlook.
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