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Vonage in Stand-Off With Bells Over 911

April 1, 2005
Though still in its infancy, Internet telephone service (VOIP) presents a serious threat to both the landline and wireless telephone businesses, which may explain why traditional telephone companies are resisting bringing VOIP into the the enhanced 9-1-1 system.

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

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott recently filed suit against Vonage, the nation's largest VOIP provider, alleging that Vonage does not clearly explain to customers that its voice service is not persently capable of emergency 9-1-1 functions.

This week, SBC Communications, headquartered in Texas, refused an offer from Vonage to participate in a trial solution.

On Feb. 18, Vonage CEO Jeffrey Citron sent a letter to all four major local Bell carriers -- SBC, BellSouth, Verizon Communications and Qwest Communications -- asking them for assistance in tapping into the 9-1-1 system.

The enhanced 9-1-1 system connects a caller to the nearest public safety dispatch center and displays the caller's physical location, enabling dispatches to get help rolling even if the caller is disoriented or unable to speak.

Citron noted in his letter that Vonage has devised a solution that is working satisfactorily in Rhode Island and hopes to implement it throughout the nation.

The problem is that the Rhode Island solution works because the small state has only one public-safety dispatch center and the call system that serves that center is owned by the state. Most states have multiple centers and most 9-1-1 call systems are owned by the local telephone company.

SBC declined to participate in the Vonage trial, saying it could not be expected to engage in tests with every single VOIP provider.

Vonage said that Qwest conducted a successful 9-1-1 trial in King County, Washington, but has been "stalling" on implementing it systemwide. Verizon has expressed technical concerns and BellSouth suggested that Vonage become certified as a local carrier, something it is trying to avoid.

9-1-1 systems are supported by fees imposed on the telephone companies and passed on by them to their subscribers. The Federal Communications Commission has taken a hands-off approach towards VOIP, hoping to keep it free of the numerous fees and regulations that afflict traditional phone service.

Opinions differ on whether state utility regulators would be able to effectively require local phone companies to embrace VOIP participation in 9-1-1.

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