Sen. Conrad Burns Introduces Bill Requiring 911 Service for Internet Phone Customers

U.S. Senators Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) today introduced the I.P.-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act, a bill that would require Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) service providers to ensure that 911 and Enhanced 911 (E911) services are available to customers.

Burns, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee said: “As folks continue to move away from land lines and toward cell phones and Voice over Internet Protocol services, we must ensure they have the safety net that 911 emergency services allow. The few seconds it takes someone to realize that their broadband connection cannot reach 911 can be the difference between life and death, and we cannot waste that time during an emergency. I am committed to making sure people in every corner of our country can successfully dial these three numbers from whatever type of phone they’re calling from, and I look forward to passing this bill for the safety of all Americans.”

“Advances in technology should make life better, not put our lives on the line,” said Nelson, a member of the Senate panel that oversees telecommunications.

Bill McMurray, the President of the National Emergency Number Association which represents 911 administrators throughout the U.S. said, “NENA is pleased to support the Congressional E911 Caucus in their continued leadership to advance E911 capabilities from any device, any time, everywhere. The introduction of IP-E911 legislation demonstrates the urgency to provide vital emergency calling capabilities to all services. We look forward to supporting the E911 Caucus as they continue to lead Congress on vital issues to our nation’s 911 system.”

This bill would require traditional telephone companies to give VOIP companies access to their 911 networks and would ensure E911 services as well, allowing emergency personnel to determine the physical location of the caller.

Until these rules are fully implemented any VOIP service provider that cannot comply must give customers clear notice that 911 and E911 service are not available.

U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon today introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

http://burns.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1331