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FCC Requires VoIP Carriers to Provide Enhanced 911 Service

May 19, 2005
As expected, the Federal Communications Commission has issued a rule requiring Internet telephone providers to supply enhanced 911 (E911) emergency calling service to their customers. At least three states have taken legal action against Vonage, the largest VoIP provider, charging it did not adequately disclose the limitations of its 911 service.

VOIP-911 • FCC Wants Enhanced 911 Service For Cell Phone, VoIP Users • Vonage 911 Caller Put On Hold While House Burns Down • FCC Requires VoIP Carriers to Provide Enhanced 911 Service • FCC Ready to Require VoIP Carriers to Provide 911 Service • Vonage To Tie Into Verizon's 911 System • Connecticut Sues Vonage Over 911 Claims • Michigan Warns Vonage About 911 • VOIP 911 Moves To Front Burner At FCC • 911 Becoming an Emergency for VOIP Providers • SBC, Vonage in Stand-Off Over 911 • Texas Sues Vonage over 911 Access

The FCC's order applies to VoIP providers who provide their users with a standard telephone number. It does not apply to other IP-based services -- including instant messaging, gaming or voice services -- that are not connected to the public telephone network.

Under the order:

Interconnected VoIP providers must comply with these requirements, and submit to the Commission a letter detailing such compliance, no later than 120 days after the effective date of the Order. The actual effective date will be sometime this fall, as the order does not become fully effective until a public comment period expires.

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