The U.S. Senate yesterday voted to include 911 features into VoIP services as part of the Safe Port Act (HR 4954) that would serve to clarify jurisdictional and liability issues surrounding voice-over-IP (VoIP) providers’ role in the 911 system, reports Moble Radio Technology Magazine.
The Senate voted Thursday to pump nearly $7 billion into seaport security, even as it roundly rejected efforts to require every cargo container entering the country to undergo radiation scanning before setting sail for the United States.
Lawmakers hailed the Security and Accountability For Every (SAFE) Port Act as a major step toward protecting cities like Long Beach and Los Angeles from the threat of a dirty bomb or other attack. The bill included 911 VoIP amendments.
Among other things, the 911 amendments would let states impose and collect 911 fees—a matter that is in question, given the FCC’s stance that IP services fall under federal jurisdiction. It also ensures that VoIP providers have access to the E911 components necessary to offer E911 services.
National Emergency Number Association (NENA) applauded passage of the 911 items, which the organization has been lobbying for throughout the session. Many non-controversial 911 amendments were added to the Safe Port Act passed yesterday. The legislation now will be considered in a conference committee.
Not included in the Senate amendments was language that would have required the FCC to grant waivers to IP-based providers in situations where it was not “technically or operationally feasible” to meet mandates.
While NENA supported this legislation, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) staunchly opposed it, claiming that it would provide a loophole for VoIP providers wanting to avoid 911 offerings, despite the FCC last year mandating that they do so.
“APCO International will object to any statutory language that provides loopholes for VoIP providers to avoid 911 obligations, or delays the enforcement of the FCC Order,” said APCO President Wanda McCarley.
Enhanced 911 (E911) automatically associates a physical address or location with the calling party’s telephone number. VoIP 911, because it uses the internet for phone traffic, is less straightforward.
.gif)
