A Federal Communications Commission official on Thursday said the agency's mandate that Internet telephone providers connect to electronic 911 technology has been a success, Technology Daily reports.
The FCC in May 2005 gave Internet phone providers until Nov. 28, 2005, to offer e911, but many companies could not comply. AT&T had covered 66% of its customers, Verizon Communications had complied for 20% of customers and Vonage had complied for 26% of customers. Some companies had trouble complying because they offer nomadic voice-over-Internet protocol, which allows customers to remove their Internet phones and plug them into other locations, Technology Daily reports.
"These services are contributing to the economy and to individual consumers' well-being, and we want to encourage the deployment of that service in a way that enhances public safety for everyone," said FCC Wireline Competition Bureau Deputy Chief Julie Veach. She did not comment on potential enforcement action but said the FCC continues to monitor compliance percentages, which are improving (Clark, Technology Daily, 4/13).