Senators at a Commerce Committee hearing on Tuesday said it is unclear how transitioning the 911 emergency system to an Internet Protocol-based network will take place, but it could require new taxes on all telephone bills, CNET News reports.
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) requested suggestions for how to absorb the cost of the transition because the current bill does not allocate any tax dollars for the new system.
The transition to an IP-based system could help emergency networks during natural disasters or emergency crises by allowing dispatchers to receive text messages or uploaded video and camera phone images.
Wanda McCarley, president of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, said the current method for 911 technology funding is inadequate because not all wireless and Internet phone services collect 911 surcharges from their subscribers.
However, Vonage Vice President Sharon O'Leary cautioned senators against requiring a new fee because "in many instances, with the new technologies, costs go down."
Stephen Meer -- chief technology officer for Intrado, which makes 911 networking equipment -- said that "there will be more costs paid by the American public to have more features as the system grows more complex," (Broache, CNET News, 4/11).