Common Issues In Voip

Direct 911 is an existing emergency call system. In an emergency scenario people do not react in a normal fashion and emergency personnel use the caller ID and trace calls to find or pinpoint the exact location of the person in emergency. The old PSTN based system required a fixed address and static switching and the process for 911 calls were easy.

The Federal Communications Commission found that internet based VoIP service was an unregulated information service and examined this environment so that it can best server the people and safeguard public interest as well. Their concern was that users do not know VoIP does not allow them to make 911 calls. To address these issues in voip FCC laid down specific rules for 911 based services to enable emergency operators reach those who dialed 911.

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Problem Area

Direct 911 calls cannot be made using VoIP services
Caller ID will not work in VoIP so pin pointing your location or tracing the call is not possible.
VoIP phones do not have specific geographic addresss due to the dynamic routing it follows.
Rerouting calls and answering some one else is calls is a scenario that is occurring and can occur in future. If the same happens to a 911 call then the problems and issues are compounded.

FCC Ruling

The FCC ruled that broadband providers of VoIP must supply an additional service of Enhanced 911 (E911) for customers to be able to reach emergency operators. The order also stated that

Broadband VoIP providers must deliver all 911 calls to the customer’s local emergency operator.
VoIP providers must provide emergency operators with the call back number and location information.
VoIP providers must inform their customers of the E911 capabilities and limitations of their broadband service.
Local phone companies must provide access to their E911 networks to broadband Voice over Internet Protocol companies.

Challenges Posed By The Ruling

Internet community expressed concern regarding this ruling even though it was views as a balanced approach for consumers, public safety and VoIP providers. Their concern is basically the impact the ruling will have on the growth of the VoIP industry. The causes of concern are

Power failures would disable the E911 service for a VoIP customer.
Providing a location is difficult since a person can connect from anywhere.
Innovation in the field of IP based telephony and some of its features of taking your phone along with you and make your call from anywhere will be curbed.
The FCC suggested several methods for tracking user’s locations. Satellite based Global Position System being one of them. A tracking device will increase the equipment cost as well as the constant monitoring of positions may drive up service providers cost which they may pass on to the customer as E911 fees.
A special caller ID like the primary-rate interface ISDN interface will become essential for VoIP call management system. These are expensive.

What ever are the problems and challenges VoIP seems to be the future of Telephony. The response to the challenges and solutions to the problems will decide how long the party lasts.

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