Voice Over IP Services And 911

Voice over IP has gained much popularity today. Voice over IP services are providing many advantages to consumers. People also prefer integrating their telephony into one simple network. Voice over IP services can handle all elements such as voice, email, data, and web communications.

Voice over IP opened the door to many questions when it first was revealed. For instance, Voice over IP services transmits packets of data, or information, over the Internet, in contrast to the regular telephone services, which work by transmitting circuits or electricity to create a connection between one telephone user and another.

This method which is used by regular telephone services is known as Circuit Switch Networks. The old switchboard operators who wearing headsets would frantically try to make the right connection and have the correct talkers communicate with each other is the best example for Circuit Switch Networks.

Voice over IP services utilizes packets of information, it is called Packet Switch.

Complications With Voice Over IP Services

There have been problems in the way Voice over IP users or Packet Switch networks connect to the Emergency 911 systems. The Wireless Communications and Safety Public Act took effect back in August 1999.

According to this act all telephone carriers and services will provide 911 services for all of its customers. Mobile phone carriers were having a hard time with the Wireless Communications and Safety Public Act when their services first were initiated.

Currently, all mobile services provide emergency 911 services for all of their customers. A person’s call is routed to Public Safety Answering Point Dispatcher, when he or she calls 911.

It is the nature of the Emergency 911 system that caller’s identification will be displayed when the phone call arrives at the Public Safety Answering Point Dispatcher. This includes the name and address of the caller.

Mobile phone carriers have now incorporated a global tracking system so that place can be traced to the particular location where the call is being placed.

Voice Over IP Services - E911 Or Enhanced 911

The Voice over IP service for 911 is known as E911 or Enhanced 911. This incorporates displaying a cellular phone caller’s position as well as extending it to a surrounding range of 50-300 meters.

This brings us to Voice over IP services and the problems that Voice over IP service providers have when it comes to 911. Firstly as Voice over IUP uses wireless technology, you are not going to be recognized by your physical address, but by your IP address.

When a person uses Voice over IP services and make a call to 911, his or her call will be routed to a Public Safety Answering Point Dispatcher, but when the call arrives, it won’t have any information displayed pertaining to location or user’s information.

There have already been numerous cases in the news relating to Voice over IP services and problems people have had reaching 911 in emergency. The FCC has issued regulations regarding Voice over IP services and the problem with 911, but unfortunately the problem cannot be fixed so easily.

The very infrastructure of Voice over IP differs from standard telephone lines; as a result the system of 911 does not work with Voice over IP as it does with landlines.

The FCC has made the decision that Voice over IP service providers will have to have all customers sign a “statement or waiver” stating that they understand they cannot use the 911 services or not work according to standard with their Voice over IP service.

By instituting enhanced 911 services, the same as for cellular phone users, some Voice over IP service providers have addressed this 911 matter, but there are still issues that remain.

For example, the enhanced 911, may not be able to effectively track the computer because caller is are on an IP network, if he or she is using Voice over IP services through their laptop computer, or in a different location.

To keep a basic landline is the safest measure to take until the problem with the Voice over IP services and 911 is solved, if not only for the sole purpose of making emergency 911 calls on.

Also, even if you use Voice over IP for your calling needs through your laptop, or if you use a VoWiFi phone, you can carry your cell phone with you, just in case you need to call 911.

Remember to stay calm, then let the dispatcher know your present location immediately, if you do need to make a 911 phone call from your Voice over IP. Remember, they won’t have that information in front of them.