On 2/1/07, Michael Young <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Actually, I think you missed the main point: "The Clinton-Snowe-Nelson bill will allow VoIP companies to patch into the 911 networks operated by the traditional phone companies." According to the VON Coalition, the legislation will give VoIP companies direct access to E911 networks within 120 days, and provides equivalent liability protection for VoIP providers as other phone services have. That, my friends, is a big deal.
Note this is a 2005 thing, and covers the aspects you mentioned. It may be that its the same bill, I dont have time to read all the links, but here is what I found in a few seconds. Now that its 2007, the primaries are starting it comes out about effectively the same thing. If however you are to connect ot the PSAPs directly and not over VoIP does that mean physical circuits? Most telcos have to have a T1 or so just for e911 that goes to the PSAP which can be a substantial cost for smaller VoIP providers that dont have the ability to have physical infrastructure (ie national coverage) but want to provide national service. If you have the 'same rules' as those providers you have to have that physical interconnection, although the current regime of leasing someone elses network is probably allowed. There is however a voIP based spec, I dont know the status of that, or how long its going to take to actually implement. If these are the same it doesnt make VoIP companies equal to all telcos only CMRS providers (mobile phone companies) so in instances like California (where 12% of the pouplation is) you may end up routing to the highway patrol, who may be totally unable to assist you in any reasonable amount of time because you are in a very rural area and really should have talked to the sheriff. Having lived in a rural area in california where it can take 20 minutes for the helicopter to arrive in an emergency (the amublance takes 10-15 minutes longer and usually follows) the delay added by going to CHP first may not be the godsend its proclaimed. Many times when calling to report a fire on the side of the road (ya know where all those fires in california burn thousands of acres and destroy millions of dollars worth or property ...) its taken 15 minutes to get hold of CHP on a cell phone. Those fires happen a lot and the fire departments in many rural areas in CA are volunteer anyway, so no one is at the firestation. http://www.nena.org/VoIP_IP/ (nena is the national '911' organization) * Senate Commerce Committee Approves the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005* * On Wednesday, November 2, the Senate Commerce Committee approved S 1063, the "IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005" which now awaits action by the full Senate. Following the lead of the recent FCC Order, the legislation requires VoIP providers to offer E9-1-1 to their customers. Click here <http://www.nena.org/govtaffairs/s1063rs.pdf>for a copy of the bill. Key provisions include the following: * · Provides states with the authority to enforce the FCC's rules in this area and collect fees from VoIP providers · Provides liability protection for PSAPs, VoIP providers and users of VoIP services · Ensures that VoIP providers have access to E9-1-1 components and are treated in the same manner as wireless providers in seeking access to 9-1-1 components · Requires National 9-1-1 Implementation and Coordination Office to submit a plan to Congress on the migration towards an IP-Enabled 9-1-1 system · Provides explicit authority to FCC to set regulations concerning E9-1-1 for IP-enabled services · Does not allow service cut-off to existing customers through 12/31/2005 as long as they have notified and received acknowledgement from those customers on service limitation, but requires VoIP providers to report on their progress to provide E9-1-1 to these customers · Allows FCC to grant waivers to VoIP providers who have provided notice and received acknowledgement from customers and who can demonstrate that it is not "technically or operationally feasible" to comply with FCC requirements in the given time frame. Granting of the waiver is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the FCC · Prevents VoIP Providers, after 12/31/2005, from offering service to customers in areas where such providers cannot offer 9-1-1 or E9-1-1 -- Trixter http://www.0xdecafbad.com Bret McDanel Belfast +44 28 9099 6461 US +1 516 687 5200 http://www.trxtel.com the VoIP provider that pays you!
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