WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Communications Commission has initiated the rulemaking process for giving IP voice service providers access to caller location information for emergency phone calls.
The new rules are required under the New and Emerging Technologies (NET) 911 Improvement Act of 2008. It requires that voice-over-IP service providers be given access to services and information needed for providing Enhanced 911 services on the same rates, terms and conditions that are provided to a provider of commercial mobile service.
As the country’s public safety infrastructure moves to new technologies, questions have arisen over whether state and local responders who answer emergency phone calls and dispatch services will have information on who is making calls and where they are originating. Congress and FCC have resolved the issue with regard to cellular phone services and are now addressing VOIP services.