Understanding VoIP

VoIP and 911 Emergency Service

It’s important to know that emergency calls to 911 use different technology than that of traditional phone lines. When calling 911 from a traditional phone line, operators at the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) are able to automatically determine the number from which you are calling in the event that they may need to call you back. With Enhanced 911, E991, which has become nearly universal, the operator also knows your exact location.
That is not the case with VoIP phone service. In order for 911 operators to know your phone number and location if you call using VoIP service, you must have taken specific measures with your VoIP provider to register your phone number and location information. Providers of Interconnected VoIP services, those services which essentially replace a traditional phone line, are required by the FCC to associate accurate location information with the phone number. They are not permitted to allow you to opt out of that provision.

Landline phone service has generally been associated with a particular address; however, some Interconnected VoIP services are portable, which is to say that you can sign on to them wherever you have broadband internet access. If you’re travelling from your registered address, it may be impossible for a PSAP operator to determine your location automatically.

VoIP services that provide computer-to-computer calls are not Interconnected and therefore don’t provide for making emergency calls. In that regard, they are not considered to be an acceptable substitute for traditional phone service.

VoIP When the Lights Go Out

In the event of a power outage, traditional phone service continues to function because the very small amount of electricity required to power phone lines is supplied from an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) at the phone company’s exchange site. Not so with VoIP service. Unless you have your broadband modem and Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) plugged into a UPS, you won’t be able to use VoIP service. Even if you have the means for keeping power supplied to those devices, there is a possibility that power to the broadband provider would not be available. Maintaining traditional phone service or having a cell phone available will keep you from being out of touch in such situations.

Summary

VoIP services offer many attractive features whether you use them to replace standard landline phone service or to supplement traditional capabilities. Any of our top rated providers offer a wide array of services at a reasonable price. In choosing a service, it is most important to keep your own specific needs in mind in determining which one is best for you.