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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Contact:
Jim
Quackenbush, Capital Commmunications, 9-1-1 Director, 360-704-2730
Internet
Phone Service May Present 9-1-1 Challenges
OLYMPIA
-- State
and local officials are once again reminding consumers that there may be some
emergency communications challenges with Internet phone services.
Many people are now using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to make
phone calls. The technology allows
users to make phone calls using their computer’s Digital Subscriber Line.
However, there may be some limitations in this relatively new service
when it comes to making calls to 9-1-1.
Jim Quackenbush, the Director of Thurston County’s
9-1-1
Emergency
Communications
Dispatch
Center
, says problems arise when the VoIP system cannot connect with enhanced
9-1-1.
“The first and most important area that people should check on with
their VoIP provider is whether their VoIP phone will allow them to dial 9-1-1
and connect with an emergency dispatch center.
Another issue to consider is that with most landline and cellular
phones, emergency dispatchers get a lot of valuable information when someone
calls 9-1-1 such as the caller’s location and a call back number.
However, with Voice Over Internet calls, we may not be able to know
where someone is physically located when they make the call.
In addition, if they are cut off, we will not automatically have a
number we can call back to get the right information for an emergency
response.”
Quackenbush encourages people considering VoIP to give
the decision careful thought. “It’s
important for folks to think about the potential impact on their homes and
families should they have make a call for emergency assistance.
If you are using Voice Over Internet, please be sure to advise the
dispatcher of your physical location as the call may have been routed to a
dispatch center that is not the closest one to the caller.
In addition, please give the call back number to the dispatcher so they
can re-connect to you if you are cut off.”
Those considering switching to VoIP should ask the
company whether the offer includes enhanced 9-1-1 services.
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