The National Emergency Number Association is urging the Federal Communications Commission to appoint an administrator to help Voice over Internet Protocol providers comply with the agency's enhanced 911 requirements, Technology Daily reports.
NENA, nomadic VoIP providers such as Vonage and lobbying group Voice on the Net Coalition say an administrator is necessary because VoIP service providers do not have direct access to the numbers they need in order to link 911 calls to the appropriate public safety answering point. "The lack of an administrator automatically creates a need for waivers," said Rick Jones, NENA's operators issues director. Nomadic providers are "particularly reliant" on an administrator providing access to "pseudo" 911 numbers, Technology Daily reports.
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International in a Nov. 30 letter joined NENA and others in urging the appointment of an administrator but APCO said it would limit the type of companies that had access to pseudo 911 numbers, Technology Daily reports. APCO said access should only be given to companies that provide E911 numbers to a range of VoIP providers and pay a service fee (Clark, Technology Daily, 12/5).
The FCC last month said VoIP providers do not have to discontinue service to customers
who do not have E911 emergency service, but they must stop marketing and accepting new customers in areas where they are not connecting 911 calls with a person's location and phone number (iHealthBeat, 11/30).
Some VoIP providers, including Vonage, last week asked the FCC to delay enforcement of requirements that would prohibit them from marketing in areas where they cannot provide E911 service. Robert Gurss, director of legal and governmental affairs for APCO, said, "The rule requires that they comply, whether or not there is a factor beyond their control," adding that "compliance is critical for protecting public safety" (Technology Daily, 12/5).