VoIP and E-911: Why all the fuss?

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: STEVE TAYLOR AND LARRY HETTICK ON
CONVERGENCE
09/05/05
Today's focus: VoIP and E-911: Why all the fuss?

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Guest writer Jim Cavanagh explains why E-911 is so vital for
  VoIP
* Links related to Convergence
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: VoIP and E-911: Why all the fuss?

By Steve Taylor and Larry Hettick

One of the areas we've discussed with some degree of regularity
in this column is the problem of E-911 compatibility with VoIP.
As it turns out, one of our associates, Jim Cavanagh of the
Consultant Registry, has spent much of the past couple of years
dealing exclusively with this issue, so we've invited him to
share some of his expertise in the next two newsletters.

In this newsletter, Jim starts with some background on why this
has become such an important issue.

Jim says:

"While '911' is among the most recognizable 'brands' in the
world - right up there with Coke, Nike and Kleenex - no one
really thinks much about 911 until an emergency occurs. In the
traditional telephone network that was OK, because 911 was a
basic service that was provided automatically with every phone.
We knew 911 would be there if needed and rarely gave it a second
thought. When VoIP entered the market the focus was initially on
providing basic dial tone and then providing enhanced services.
Because VoIP was considered a non-regulated service, it seemed
common sense that VoIP providers could not be burdened with
providing many of the extras that regulated providers were
required to provide, including 911. This was a given amongst the
VoIP providers, the FCC and even among early adopters of VoIP
technology both in the enterprise and consumer markets. And then
along came the Johns.

"The two pivotal events that changed the FCC's approach to E-911
calling for VoIP providers occurred in Texas and Florida, and
became the driving forces behind the FCC ruling in May requiring
VoIP providers to provide a 'no opt out' E-911 dialing program
for all VoIP subscribers.

"In February a pair of thieves broke into the home of Peter John
in Houston, and shot Peter and his wife. As they lay in pools of
blood their daughter dialed 911 on their VoIP phone only to get
this message: 'Stop. You must dial 911 from another telephone.
911 is not available from this telephone line. No emergency
personnel will be dispatched.' In March, Cheryl Waller of
Deltona, Fla., dialed 911 on her VoIP phone to get help when her
daughter, Julia, stopped breathing, but instead heard a recorded
voice informing her that the sheriff's department's
administrative offices were closed. The few seconds it took for
Waller to run to a neighbor's to get help may have cost Julia
her life.

"The FCC's action and subsequent focus on E-911 by VoIP
providers will, hopefully, avoid repeats of these admittedly
predictable situations."

In the next newsletter, we'll continue with Jim's commentary. If
you wish to communicate with Jim, please send e-mail to
<mailto:jpc@consultant-registry.com>

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. VoIP rollouts generate heat, power concerns
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlconvergence6208>

2. Cell carriers tackle Katrina damage
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlconvergence6352>

3. 2005 salary survey
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlconvergence3861>

4. Google dives deeper into networking
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlconvergence6204>

5. Katrina news <http://www.networkworld.com/nlconvergence6353>

Today's most-forwarded story:

Cell carriers tackle Katrina damage
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlconvergence6354>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Steve Taylor and Larry Hettick

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates
and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. For more detailed
information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter,
connect to Webtorials <http://www.webtorials.com/>, the premier
site for Web-based educational presentations, white papers, and
market research. Taylor can be reached at
<mailto:taylor@webtorials.com>

Larry Hettick is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of
experience in voice and data. He is Vice President for Telecom
Services and Infrastructure at Current Analysis, the leading
competitive response solutions company. He can be reached at
<mailto:lhettick@currentanalysis.com>
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VoIP

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