FCC: VoIP Providers Must Provide 911 Services

acadiel writes "The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the FCC will require VoIP providers to provide 911 location services. This will mean extra $$$ that the VoIP providers will have to put out, which ultimately means extra $$$ that the consumer will have to put out. This is the first step in regulating an industry that should have been left alone..." I hope network end-points and physical location aren't going to be too tightly linked; one of the appeals of VoIP is using it from anywhere that has an adequate Internet connection.

Comments

Re:Another Fsking Snout in the Trough

[Saeed al-Sahaf]

Fsking? What the fuck is this word?

it's 911 for thor's sake

[catphile]

You people are bitching about 911 service?! Do you complain when that *big government* fire department shows up with their *oppressive* hoses to save your shit when it's on fire?

Just go move to your shack in Montana and let the rest of us have a functioning community. :muttering under breath:

Re:Vonage has 911 service already

[Shakrai]

4. Not all PSAPs are created equal -- in some areas, you get to a 911 call center, in others it gets you somewhere else that isn't exactly a 911 call center.

Did I hear "call center"? Let's outsource them to India!

"Thank you for calling your local E-911 enabled emergency center -- how may I assist you today with your problem?"
"Help! I'm being stabbed to death."
"Ah yes sir I am understanding that you are being stabbed. I need to collect some information from you first. Is your address 192 Smith St?"
"Yes! Oh god help me!"
"Yes sir I am understanding that your address is correct on my screen. How may I assist you?"
"OOOOOOOOOOH GOOOOOOOOD NOOOOOOOOOO HEEEEEEEEELP ME."
"Yes sir I am understanding that you are needing assistance but we have procedure that we need to follow. Can I please verify your e-mail address per our records?"
[dead air]
"Hello? Sir?"
"Sir are you there? Hello?"
[click]

(There goes my karma ;)