Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

VoIP IP Telephony @ http://snapvoip.blogspot.com

FCC ADOPTS NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING SEEKING COMMENT ON ENHANCED 911 LOCATION ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRELESS CARRIERS AND INTERCONNECTED VOIP PROVIDERS

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on tentative conclusions and issues related to Enhanced 911 (E911) location accuracy and reliability requirements for wireless carriers and providers of interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

The NPRM seeks to ensure that E911 service meets the needs of public safety and the American people. The NPRM also takes into consideration the evolution in the use of wireless devices and the further development of location technologies. The primary objective is to advance policies, rules and initiatives that support the efficient and reliable transmission of meaningful automatic location information for wireless cell phone users and users of interconnected VoIP service to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to better ensure rapid emergency response and save lives.

The Commission tentatively concluded that, as proposed by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO), wireless carriers would be required to meet Phase II location accuracy and reliability standards under Section 20.18(h) at the service area level of PSAPs. The Commission also seeks comment on whether to defer enforcement of Section 20.18(h) to allow time for wireless carriers to come into compliance with this standard, as well as the other questions regarding enforcing any rule that may be adopted on the geographic area for compliance.

In addition to proposing to clarify the geographic area over which carriers must satisfy the E911 Phase II accuracy requirements, the Commission also seeks comment on other tentative conclusions, on whether:

• A single, technology-neutral location accuracy requirement for wireless E911 service should be used, rather than the separate accuracy requirements for network-based and handset-based location technologies that are currently in place;

• Wireless carriers should comply with a mandatory schedule for accuracy testing and automatically provide accuracy data to PSAPs; and

• Providers of interconnected VoIP services that can be used at more than one location must employ an automatic location technology that meets the same accuracy standards which apply to providers of commercial mobile radio services (CMRS).

Finally, the Commission found that there are at least two areas that warrant additional evaluation by Commission engineers and staff: (1) methods for carriers to improve in-building location accuracy; and (2) the use of hybrid technology solutions to increase location accuracy and address shortcomings of current technologies. The Commission noted its intent to examine and publicly report on both issues as quickly and efficiently as possible, so as not to unduly delay the issuance of a final order.

Action by the Commission, May 31, 2007, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 07-108). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell. Separate statements ISSUED by Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell.

CC Docket No. 94-102, PS Docket No. 07-114, WC Docket No. 05-196

Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau Contact: Carol Simpson at (202) 418-2391.

FCC

Source: voipcentral.org

Clearwire, the provider of wireless, high-speed broadband Internet and VoIP services. It has launched wireless high-speed Internet service in 27 metro markets, covering more than 200 cities in the United States, as well as four other countries:

a) Ireland,
b) Belgium,
c) Denmark and
d) Mexico.

Clearwire Internet Phone Service provides customers the exceptional call quality and an array of enhanced features including VoIP. The service was jointly developed with Bell Canada.

Clearwire will only sell service to those who qualify for Enhanced 911 (E911) service. Additionally, Clearwire Internet Phone Service provides features include a local phone number within it%u2019s market, unlimited local and long-distance calling within the U.S. and Canada, competitive international calling rates, call forwarding, enhanced call forwarding, caller ID, voice mail, voice mail to e-mail, three-way calling, caller blocking and international call blocking.

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Source: voipcentral.org

Vonage finally claimed yesterday about its full compliance with 911 emergencey calling at par with traditional phone service.

FCC in its mandate has clearly outlined that all Internet telephony operators have to get enhanced 911(E911) installed in their service in all their service areas. E911 requires that callers location and number has to be automatically provided by the company to PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). VoIP firms were barred to accept any new customers or market their services in areas which were not having E911.

This will now allow Vonage to markets its service to new customers and also accept them in every geographic location. Vonage in its earlier statement has claimed to have provided enhanced 911 service to its 90% of its customer. Its has also blamed local phone operatiors to be slow in providing them the necessary infrastructure for their(Vonage) 911 services.

“Vonage shares a common goal with the FCC, Congress, public safety officials and regulators: to deploy E911 service for all subscribers as soon as possible,” said Jeffrey A. Citron, Vonage’s Chairman and CEO. “We are dedicating every resource at our command toward turning up a national E911 system - not only are we spending over $50 million, but we’re working with public safety to create a framework to hasten this national deployment and remove any local roadblocks we’ve encountered

Source

Source: voipcentral.org

The set deadline laid by FCC for VoIP firms to provide 911 capabilities to their customers has finished. Its still unclear what next steps would be taken by both parties.

FCC in its mandate has clearly outlined that all Internet telephony operators have to get enhanced 911(E911) installed in their service in all their service areas. E911 requires that callers location and number has to be automatically provided by the company to PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). VoIP firms were barred to accept any new customers or market their services in areas which were not having E911. Though they dont need to discontinue services for the old customers who still dont have E911 services in their region.

FCC officials say that they are still reviewing the documents provided by the VoIP firms submitted before the Tuesday deadline. FCC hasnt taken any action so far. On the other hand VoIP firms, Vonage and 8×8 are continuing to market their services to new customers and accepting new subscriptions.