Dispute over IP phone and 911 rules

[Steve]

VoIP is taking off, but there are concerns over whether it is a suitable replacement for traditional phone systems given the current way 911 calls are handled.

In the US, the FCC ruled in May that VoIP calls to 911, the US emergency services number, should route to emergency dispatchers and advise them of the location of the caller. This becomes a requirement for US VoIP providers on November 29th.

http://www.hexus.net/content/news/ne...lld19JRD0xNDc2

[Dougal]

That isn't much time really, 29th November?

They'll probably have to roll out a patch across the entire network, after testing and securing it obviously, then do more tests and then even MORE tests.

Because if the system does go wrong, the VoIP providers will probably be sued for manslaughter.

[Twigman]

Well this news is at least a few months old I think...so they have had time to sort it...
Im sure i heard it a few months ago.
When it was new, skype changed their website to include:

Skype is not a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for emergency dialing.

in bold on the left hand side toolbar.
Although I dont think this entirely covered it.
It is harder than you think though to get through to local emergency services...from the internet, unless you rely on people telling you where they are based...
There was talk of how it would be used in offices: Everyone has Voip on their computers, then having a "red phone" in each area, to be used for emergencys.