FCC Orders Web Phones to Provide Full 911


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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Regulators Thursday ordered Internet telephone carriers to provide full 911 emergency calling services to customers later this year, after hearing from people who were unable to get through during life-threatening crises.

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to require carriers to ensure that 911 calls from Internet phones will reach live emergency dispatchers instead of being connected to administrative lines. In addition, the carriers will have to provide callers' numbers and addresses.

The FCC approved the order at an open meeting attended by families who had trouble reaching 911 operators when they dialed for help with Internet phones.

Among them was Cheryl Waller of Florida, who could not reach a dispatcher when her infant daughter stopped breathing. The child died.

"This situation is simply unacceptable," said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. "Anyone who dials 911 has a reasonable expectation that he or she will be connected to an emergency operator."

more:

http://money.cnn.com/2005/05/19/technology...dex.htm?cnn=yes

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