The femtocell E-911 caller location problem, Part 1

Convergence & VoIP This newsletter is sponsored by Fluke Networks Whitepaper: Deploying new technologies(VoIP) Can your current network support the deployment of VoIP, wireless or new applications? Read this whitepaper to learn how to implement new technologies and applications with minimal disruption while continuing to deliver a high level of service. Network World's Convergence & VoIP Newsletter, 10/08/07 The femtocell E-911 caller location problem, Part 1 By Steve Taylor and Larry Hettick Last week, we pointed out that with services like Sprint’s Airave and T-Mobile’s HotSpot @Home, callers can use their mobile handset connected to a femtocell or Wi-Fi router to place a voice call using the Internet for access to the PSTN. Under these two plans, minutes of use don’t count against the subscriber’s usage. But, as with any new service a few issues remain to be solved. For example, how can caller locations be identified for E-911 services when users roam between a femtocell, Wi-Fi, and cellular network? The issue of locating callers placing an emergency call when using VoIP has been largely solved as we’ve discussed. For more information on FCC mandates for locating callers on a VoIP call, click here; for a discussion on how a VoIP caller location is identified, we refer readers to our newsletter here. In a wireless world, the user’s location depends on the kind of transmission technology. GSM networks like those deployed by AT&T and T-Mobile use triangulation hardware and software that locate the handset based on signal strength recognized from multiple cell towers. CDMA networks like those used by Verizon and Sprint use Assisted GPS (A-GPS) that supplements triangulation with a GPS “Assistance Server.” As with VoIP calls, the FCC has also mandated a benchmark for reliability that was most recently discussed in an FCC statement. Under the mandate, a GSM caller’s location must be identified within 50 meters 67% of the time and within 100 meters 95% of the time, according to Brian J. McNiff, who leads the marketing, business development and product management teams at TechnoCom. TechnoCom is a leading-edge provider of solutions to enable wireless location services and ensure their ongoing performance. All VoIP Security. All in One Place. From buying tips to peer discussions. From case studies to market trends. Network World's newly enhanced VoIP Security Buyer's Guide has everything you need to stay current, research technology, compare products and implement solutions - all in one convenient location. Click here to go to the Buyer's Guide now. But back to our opening question: Is a mobile handset connected to a femotcell wireless router a VoIP caller or a wireless caller, and how should the user’s location be identified? We’ll hear more from cNiff on the topic and disclose how Sprint and T-Mobile address the question in our next newsletter.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: 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, the premier site for Web-based educational presentations, white papers, and market research. Taylor can be reached at 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 lhettick@currentanalysis.com This newsletter is sponsored by Fluke Networks Whitepaper: Deploying new technologies(VoIP) Can your current network support the deployment of VoIP, wireless or new applications? Read this whitepaper to learn how to implement new technologies and applications with minimal disruption while continuing to deliver a high level of service. ARCHIVE Archive of the Convergence & VoIP Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007