OK to test 911?

Posts: 59 · Full Forum Member Joined: Dec 16, 2004 Posts: 59

houuser wrote:

Could the idea that the company that creates the E911 record charges for each use? Last I heard the routing for VONAGE (Focal) is handled by a company in Colorado named Intrado?

I don't know whether or not Vonage uses Intrado. I do know that companies like Intrado do provide the 911 routing service used by some of the voip providers. And the answer to the question earlier about why Vonage blocks calls to 911 if the subscriber hasn't opted in is an economic one -- companies like Intrado tend to charge back to the service provider a pretty significant fee for every 911 call they receive which is for a subscriber that they haven't provisioned in their system.

Posts: 47 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject:

reebok wrote:

did you read this thread? or any of a ton of threads that this has been discussed in? or heck, even vonage?
http://vonage.com/features.php?feature=911

Reebok--

With all due respect - you're an intelligent helpful person - but I wish you'd be a little more friendly when someone new is asking for information.

The language in the link you provided about 911 activation does not exactly answer pitroad's question. If I am not mistaken pitroad was asking if having to give *911 dispatch* your physical location each time you called them was how VoIP's worked. In the information from the link you provided it says one must register one's physical location with *VONAGE* when activating 911 so that when calling 911 Vonage can route your call to the 911 dispatch in your area.

And to answer your question PitRoad - yes most VoIP's work like this because they do not have access to the 911 directory service that the major phone companies control. When you call 911 they won't get your address because Vonage only sends out your number. Vonage (and other VoIP's) can't register your name and address YET. Legislation is supposed to come soon that will force the phone companies to allow VoIP's access to their 911 directories.
Jerry

Posts: 318 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 2:55 pm Post subject:

Jerry@ wrote:

reebok wrote:

did you read this thread? or any of a ton of threads that this has been discussed in? or heck, even vonage?
http://vonage.com/features.php?feature=911

Reebok--

With all due respect - you're an intelligent helpful person - but I wish you'd be a little more friendly when someone new is asking for information.

The language in the link you provided about 911 activation does not exactly answer pitroad's question. If I am not mistaken pitroad was asking if having to give *911 dispatch* your physical location each time you called them was how VoIP's worked. In the information from the link you provided it says one must register one's physical location with *VONAGE* when activating 911 so that when calling 911 Vonage can route your call to the 911 dispatch in your area.

And to answer your question PitRoad - yes most VoIP's work like this because they do not have access to the 911 directory service that the major phone companies control. When you call 911 they won't get your address because Vonage only sends out your number. Vonage (and other VoIP's) can't register your name and address YET. Legislation is supposed to come soon that will force the phone companies to allow VoIP's access to their 911 directories.
Jerry

His question was answered at the site reebok gave:

Quote:

Your Call Will Go To A General Access Line at the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
This is different from the 911 Emergency Response Center where traditional 911 calls go.
This means your call goes to a different phone number than traditional 911 calls. Also, you will need to state the nature of your emergency promptly and clearly, including your location and telephone number, as Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) personnel will NOT have this information on hand.

Posts: 47 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 4:41 pm Post subject:

Ahh--my mistake. Sorry about that.

Posts: 492 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 5:27 pm Post subject:

Jerry,

Your 911 call will go to a non-emergency dispatcher. These dispatchers usually have their desks right among the E-911 dispatchers for ease of communications. Always announce the purpose of your call first, whether it is a test or your house is burning down. Then give your name, address, and telephone number.

I found it expedient to create an 8" x 10" framed instruction sheet placed in a conspicuous location in my home for the use of guests, friends, family, etc. who may have to call 911 for some reason. I suggest you do the same until Vonage E911 is finally installed as a feature. Testing has been completed in Rhode Island.

Mike

Posts: 47 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 8:09 pm Post subject:

mbhn5204 wrote:

Jerry,

Your 911 call will go to a non-emergency dispatcher. These dispatchers usually have their desks right among the E-911 dispatchers for ease of communications. Always announce the purpose of your call first, whether it is a test or your house is burning down. Then give your name, address, and telephone number.

I found it expedient to create an 8" x 10" framed instruction sheet placed in a conspicuous location in my home for the use of guests, friends, family, etc. who may have to call 911 for some reason. I suggest you do the same until Vonage E911 is finally installed as a feature. Testing has been completed in Rhode Island.

Mike

Hey Mike!

thanks for the clarification! Smile

Jerry

Posts: 482 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:22 pm Post subject:

When people hear "testing has been completed in Rhode Island" they automatically think a national rollout must be the next step, but that's not the case.

There is an important reason why Vonage piloted their e911 in Rhode Island. Rhode Island is one of the few places where Vonage was able to get any cooperation, because the 911 system in Rhode Island is controlled by the state. Almost everywhere else, the 911 system is controlled by the phone companies. And, because they are regulated providers, current regulations only require the phone companies to share access to the 911 system with other regulated providers. So it wouldn't matter if Vonage was ready to flip a switch to give it to everybody, because they're currently being locked out of the system by the phone companies with which they are in competition.

All of that demonstrates the need for regulatory involvement to open up access for all providers, be they landlines or VoIP or whatever. There's already momentum building in Washington, so it's really just a matter of time. But everybody who thinks Rhode Island means a Vonage e911 rollout is just around the corner had better be prepared to keep singing that tune for a good while longer.

Posts: 47 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:32 pm Post subject:

I had a Vonage rep tell me that they are ready to "test E911 in many other states" starting this spring. Hope they ain't lying. And I hope MN is one of them.

Posts: 23 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:39 pm Post subject:

What I do not understand about your argument, which I have seen a few times, is why do the same 911 issues apply to the VOIP solutions from Verizon (Voicewing) and Att (callvantage) these regulated carriers?

https://www22.verizon.com/CustomerHelp/CGI-BIN/SmartHelp.asp
http://www.usa.att.com/callvantage/faqs/about_911.jsp

This kind of kills that argument.

Posts: 23 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:43 pm Post subject:

Sorry the verizon link does not work, follow this

https://www22.verizon.com/CustomerHelp/cgi-bin/Smarthelp.asp?new&kb=ViperLO

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