VoIP and Emergency 911

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up withbroadband High Speed Internet connection. This
VoIP and Emergency 911? This informative reportmeans, that you are not going to be recognized
can give you an insight into everything you'veby your physical address, but by your IP address.
ever wanted to know about VoIP andThe information about VoIP and Emergency 911
Emergency 911.presented here will do one of two things: either it
VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol has gainedwill reinforce what you know about VoIP and
much popularity today. There are manyEmergency 911 or it will teach you something
advantages consumers are discovering to usingnew. Both are good outcomes.
their broadband connections to handle all of theirFor some who use VoIP services and call 911,
telecommunication needs. People also preferthere calls will be routed to a Public Safety
integrating their telephony into one simpleAnswering Point Dispatcher, but when the call
network. VoIP can handle all components such asarrives, it won't have any information displayed
voice, data, email, and web communications.pertaining to location or user's information.
When VoIP first was revealed, it opened the doorThere have already been several instances in the
to many questions. For example, VoIP transmitsnews pertaining to VoIP and problems people
packets of data, or information, over thehave had reaching 911 during an emergency. The
Internet, while regular telephone services work byFCC has issued regulations regarding VoIP and the
transmitting circuits- or electricity to create aproblem with 911, but unfortunately the problem is
connection between one telephone user andnot that easy to fix. The very infrastructure of
another. An example of this is the old switchboardVoIP differs from standard telephone lines;
operators who wearing headsets would franticallytherefore the system of 911 does not work with
try to make the right connection and have theVoIP as it does with landlines.
correct talkers communicate with each other.The FCC has made the decision that VoIP service
This old method of using the telephones is calledproviders will have to have all customers sign a
Circuit Switch Networks. Because VoIP utilizes"statement or waiver" stating that they
packets of information, it is called Packet Switch.understand their 911 services may be disabled or
There have been complications in the way VoIPnot working according to standard with their VoIP
users or Packet Switch networks connect to theservice.
Emergency 911 systems. Back in August 1999,Some VoIP service providers have addressed the
the Wireless Communications and Safety Publicissue by instituting enhanced 911 services, the
Act took effect. This Act enforces that allsame as for cellular phone users, but there are
telephone carriers and services will provide 911still issues that remain. For instance, if a caller is on
services for all of its customers. Mobile phonea VoIP through their laptop computer, or in a
carriers were having a hard time with thedifferent location, the enhanced 911, may not be
Wireless Communications and Safety Public Actable to effectively track the computer because
when their services first were initiated. Currently,they are on an IP network.
all mobile services provide emergency 911The safest measure to take, until this is
services for all of their customers.corrected, is to keep a basic landline phone in use,
When a person calls 911, their call is routed toif not only for the sole purpose of making
Public Safety Answering Point Dispatcher. It is theemergency 911 calls on. Also, you can carry your
nature of the Emergency 911 system that whencell phone with you, even if you use VoIP for
the phone call arrives at the Public Safetyyour calling needs through your laptop, or if you
Answering Point Dispatcher the caller'suse a VoWiFi phone, just in case you need to call
identification will be displayed. This includes the911.
caller's name (or the one registered for theIf you do need to make a 911 phone call from
phone) and address. Mobile phone carriers haveyour VoIP, remember to stay calm, then let the
now included a global tracking system so thatdispatcher know your present location
location can be traced to the specific locationimmediately. Remember, they won't have that
where the call is being placed.information in front of them.
The wireless form of 911 is known as E911 orYou can't predict when knowing something extra
Enhanced 911. This includes displaying a cellularabout VoIP and Emergency 911 will come in
phone caller's location as well as extending it to ahandy. If you learned anything new about VoIP
surrounding range of 50-300 meters.and Emergency 911 in this article, you should file
This brings us to VoIP and the difficulties thatthe article where you can find it again.
VoIP service providers have when it comes toOlivia Tan provides tips and review on VoIP
911. First, VoIP is not a landline service. It isservice providers. Please visit for more
wireless or used by a router connected to yourinformation on VoIP.