VoIP 911 Emergency Service: Problems and Fixes

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Saturday September 11, 2004 @07:50AM from the phones-came-before-emergency-call-systems dept.

13.7BillionYears writes "Slate explores the technical hurdles VoIP faces in providing 911 emergency services and points to some technical, legislative and commercial workarounds that just might work. Some are the author's own ideas, some are already in the works. Until this little doozie gets solved, VoIP will have to suffer plenty of FUD of the credible variety and may never spark a real revolution. Of course you can always keep analog POTS (plain old telephone service) around like floppies--just for emergencies--but it'll cost you and tie you down in a number of ways."

2 of 170 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Funny... by comwiz56 · 2004-09-11 07:53 · Score: 5, Insightful

Isn't it funny how everyone is trying to keep VoIP unregulated, but then can't get 911 services. It's a compromise either way.
Mine has it by querencia · 2004-09-11 07:54 · Score: 5, Informative

Time Warner Cable in Austin has VOIP with enhanced 911 service.

http://www.twcdigitalphone.com/austin/faq_specialf eatures.htm#Can%20I%20call%20911

Q: Can I call 911?
A: Yes, absolutely. Safety is important, and enhanced 911 service is provided. Note that Digital Phone does not include back-up power and in the event of a power outage, the ability to call 911 will not be available until the power is restored.