New Fee. Woo hoo.Woo, hoo hoo.

Posts: 423 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 423

02.15.06 **IMPORTANT!**

911 Fees & Emergency 911 Cost Recovery

In order to comply with State and Federal regulations and ensure that our customers get access to emergency services, we will be adding two new fees to invoices for all residential and small business lines, fax lines and SoftPhone lines, beginning on or about February 19:

The Emergency 911 Cost Recovery fee is $0.99 for each line of service, regardless of where the customer is located. ALL customers will see this charge applied to their invoices for all residential and small business lines, fax lines and SoftPhone lines on or about February 19.

The 911 fees will vary by state, and will only apply to invoices for customers within 5 states -- Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island -- on or about February 19. These fees will roll-out to other states throughout 2006.

Posts: 61 · Full Forum Member Joined: Dec 29, 2005 Posts: 61

Okay. This one is fine, though I think .99 is on the excessive profit side.

Posts: 23 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 23, 2005 Posts: 23

I'd certainly be more amenable to paying the fee if I actually had E911.

But despite Vonage ballyhooing all the E911 progress - it sure is slow to reach central NY!!.

I am sure Vonage will claim the fee will help them get E911 to me. If so, HURRY UP!!!

Posts: 8 · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:49 pm Post subject: Why on the fax line?

I'm just curious as to why it is being applied to fax lines. I would like the ability to opt out if possible. Is there a mandate that all lines have E911 capability? If so, sorry about the dumb question.

Posts: 29 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Mar 26, 2005 Posts: 29

ColdGin wrote:

02.15.06 **IMPORTANT!**

911 Fees & Emergency 911 Cost Recovery

In order to comply with State and Federal regulations and ensure that our customers get access to emergency services, we will be adding two new fees to invoices for all residential and small business lines, fax lines and SoftPhone lines, beginning on or about February 19:

The Emergency 911 Cost Recovery fee is $0.99 for each line of service, regardless of where the customer is located. ALL customers will see this charge applied to their invoices for all residential and small business lines, fax lines and SoftPhone lines on or about February 19.

The 911 fees will vary by state, and will only apply to invoices for customers within 5 states -- Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island -- on or about February 19. These fees will roll-out to other states throughout 2006.

And the second fee will be how much and for what please?

Posts: 21 · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:12 am Post subject:

Sounds a smidge like someone's preparing for an IPO and realized it's a little tougher to sell 10 digit losses in 2006 than it was in 1996.

Posts: 83 · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:36 am Post subject:

I, too, would appreciate the option on a line by line basis to 'opt out' of 911 and E911 service. And, if opted out, avoid 911 fees.

But I suspect the prevailing laws won't allow for that.

Posts: 29 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Dec 06, 2005 Posts: 29

Mvdyk03 wrote:

Sounds a smidge like someone's preparing for an IPO and realized it's a little tougher to sell 10 digit losses in 2006 than it was in 1996.

I tend to agree. The vonage IPO is not getting a warm reception at the moment and I really can't say I blame investors one bit.

Posts: 168 · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 8:09 am Post subject:

I'd like a clarification on what exactly is E911. As I understand it E911 is when your number/address appear at the 911 operators work station. Regular 911 is when it goes to a general center in your calling area. Is this not correct?

In my case my 911 call would go to a general center. So why should I pay for E911 if I'm not getting it?

Posts: 409 · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 8:15 am Post subject:

What is the difference between E911 and Vonage 911 Dialing?

E911 service gives us the capability to deliver your location and callback number automatically to local 911 emergency services personnel. This feature will improve the effectiveness and reliability of our 911 Dialing service by providing additional information automatically to emergency service personnel. In the upcoming months, we will roll out E911 to many more states and communities. If you are an existing customer, we will notify you when we are able to offer E911 in your area.

Vonage 911 Dialing, once its activated, uses the address you provide to determine the nearest emergency response center and then sends your call to a general number at that center, which may not be manned at all hours. When the center receives your call, the operator will not have your address and may not have your phone number on hand, thus you must provide that information in order to get help. In the event your 911 Dialing is not yet activated or Vonage is unable to send your call to a live operator at your local emergency response center, Vonage will send your call to a national emergency calling center and a trained agent will get you help.

* I would thing the new fee when introduced, is to help the costs of setting up E 911 where it is not available? And maybe the costs involved in making sure its up and working properly. Just speculation.