By Sharla Sikes

One of the biggest issues facing VoIP providers has been emergency services. Now, the FCC will begin to require both cell phone and VoIP providers to offer Enhanced 911 to their customers.

Enhanced 911, or E911, will help emergency dispatchers to locate a caller. Currently it does not work with cellular or VoIP networks. The FCC has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will make sure E911 service is available and meets the needs of users. Providers have known this requirement would be coming down the wire, so it’s no surprise—and long overdue.

Horror stories abound, including one VoIP caller who was put on hold when calling to report a fire. His home burned, and was a total loss. The NPRM aims to advance “policies, rules and initiatives” to boost emergency response, the FCC says.

The agency will also keep emerging technology in mind, and is seeking comment on whether to defer the requirement to allow time for wireless and VoIP providers to comply with the order.

“The NPRM also takes into consideration the evolution in the use of wireless devices and the further development of location technologies,” according to a news release.

“In addition to proposing to clarify the geographic area over which carriers must satisfy the E911 Phase II accuracy requirements, the Commission also seeks comment on other tentative conclusions, on whether … providers of interconnected VoIP services that can be used at more than one location must employ an automatic location technology that meets the same accuracy standards which apply to providers of commercial mobile radio services.”

The FCC first announced it would require E911 services in 2005. Today’s announcement of the proposed rulemaking will move forward with something that can only boost the VoIP industry; if customers and potential customers feel secure knowing they will be able to contact emergency services if needed, that will remove one of the greatest hurdles to the industry’s growth.  

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