Senate Clears Bill Giving VoIP Providers Full Access to 911 Systems
The Senate late Monday approved by unanimous consent a revised version of a bill that gives VoIP providers the same rights of interconnection to 911 services as traditional phone service providers. The bill was worked out by House and Senate staff in an informal conference after both chambers passed different versions of legislation over the last year, industry sources said Tuesday. The House is expected to pass the bill, HR 3403, later this week.
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The legislation gives VoIP operators, public safety answering points and vendors comparable protection from liability for 911 calls as is already enjoyed by wireline and wireless providers. It also confirms state authority to impose and collect 911 fees from VoIP and wireless providers and clarifies that ENHANCE 911 Act monies can be used to pay for the “migration to an IP-enabled emergency network” in addition to wireless phase II E-911 upgrades. It requires the National 911 Program Office to produce a report to Congress within 270 days on migration to next-generation 911.
“The E911 system was built for wireline service,” Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said in making a case for the bill on the Senate floor. “So as technology advanced and wireless phones grew in popularity, we worked to apply E-911 principles to wireless service. With the advent of VoIP, we are challenged again to ensure that our 911 policies are up to date.” Inouye said the legislation “does an excellent job of improving 911 service and adapting it to the latest telecommunications technology.”
“Congress has been working on this important legislation for several years and I am pleased to see that it is finally moving forward,” said Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, ranking member of the committee. “This measure will ensure that our nation’s 911 laws are up-to-date with new technologies and will continue to save lives.”
The National Emergency Number Association said the legislation will save lives. “NENA remains focused on the need for continued deployment of E-911 for all technologies, the need for appropriate liability protections for 911 telecommunicators and service providers, and the need to ensure adequate funding is available for today’s 911 system as well as the migration to an IP-based Next Generation 911 system,” it said. “The New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act is a step in the right direction to make these important priorities a reality.”