VoIP penetrates emergency calling infrastructure
{{date|April 23, 2005}}
[[Image:Vonage Logo.gif|right|Vonage logo]]
Leading [[w:VoIP|VoIP]] provider [[w:Vonage|Vonage]] negotiated access to the [[w:Qwest Communications|Qwest Communications]] emergency calling infrastructure, allowing Vonage customers in 14 states the ability to connect directly to emergency dispatchers by dialing [[w:9-1-1|911]].

With the exception of [[w:Rhode Island|Rhode Island]], VoIP's 911 callers were delivered to the administrative offices of a public-safety answering point, instead of connecting directly to a standard 911 dispatcher. The resulting time delay was a consequence of the phone provider's refusal to give VoIP providers access to the 911 infrastructure. Vonage Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Citron in a recent letter to Qwest Chairman and CEO Richard Notebaert, wrote "I applaud you [Qwest] for your willingness to put the health and safety of Americans before short-term competitive considerations."

“With the access that Qwest has agreed to provide, Vonage will be able to route emergency service calls placed by its customers directly to public-safety operators, which will help save lives and safeguard property" Citron said.

[[w:Verizon|Verizon]] agreed to begin a trial in [[w:New York City|New York City]] soon, and [[w:BellSouth|BellSouth]] also started "making some movement" on the issue, according to Vonage.

Vonage claims "that [[w:SBC Communications|SBC]] has agreed to begin discussions on working cooperatively to improve 911 offerings available to customers using VoIP." Vonage attorney William Wilhelm, in a letter to the [[w:Federal Communications Commission|FCC]], "noted its concern that SBC has already provided 911 interconnection access to its unregulated VoIP affiliate.”

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/business/qwest-vonage-911-112008P42VCG.xhtml
 |title=Qwest Agrees To Provide Vonage E-911 Access
|author=Donny Jackson
|pub=CRM Buyer
|date=April 20, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://news.com.com/Qwest+gives+Vonage+the+911/2100-7352_3-5678598.html
 |title=Qwest gives Vonage the 911
|author=Ben Charny
|pub= CNET
|date=April 20, 2005}}

*{{source|url= http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=365
 |title= Vonage to FCC: Qwest is playing nice, so SBC should, too
|author= Russell Shaw
|pub= ZDNet
|date=April 20, 2005}}

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[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Economy and business]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Published]]
Vonage logo
Leading VoIP provider Vonage negotiated access to the Qwest Communications emergency calling infrastructure, allowing Vonage customers in 14 states the ability to connect directly to emergency dispatchers by dialing 911.

With the exception of Rhode Island, VoIP's 911 callers were delivered to the administrative offices of a public-safety answering point, instead of connecting directly to a standard 911 dispatcher. The resulting time delay was a consequence of the phone provider's refusal to give VoIP providers access to the 911 infrastructure. Vonage Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Citron in a recent letter to Qwest Chairman and CEO Richard Notebaert, wrote "I applaud you Qwest for your willingness to put the health and safety of Americans before short-term competitive considerations."

“With the access that Qwest has agreed to provide, Vonage will be able to route emergency service calls placed by its customers directly to public-safety operators, which will help save lives and safeguard property" Citron said.

Verizon agreed to begin a trial in New York City soon, and BellSouth also started "making some movement" on the issue, according to Vonage.

Vonage claims "that SBC has agreed to begin discussions on working cooperatively to improve 911 offerings available to customers using VoIP." Vonage attorney William Wilhelm, in a letter to the FCC, "noted its concern that SBC has already provided 911 interconnection access to its unregulated VoIP affiliate.”

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United States Economy and business Science and technology Published