Full FCC Emergency 911 Compliance

Because your business can not afford to partner with providers who are not compliant with FCC regulations regarding VoIP 911, phusionPointe has addressed this issue by providing over 93% nationwide coverage and full FCC compliance. It's simple, when you dial 911 you are immediately connected to the proper 911 call center.

How Am I Affected by 911 & E911?

In May 2005, the FCC adopted rules that respond to the threat that misunderstandings pose to public safety. The FCC adopted rules requiring all interconnected VoIP providers to offer a certified E-911 solution by November 28, 2005. The FCC order and history of 911 can be viewed at www.fcc.gov.

What is required of the VoIP provider Regarding 911 & E911?

  • VoIP providers must transmit all calls to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) that serves the caller's registered location.
  • The calls must be Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or psuedo-ANI-routed via the dedicated wireline E-911 network.
  • The registered location must be available from or through the Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database.
  • VoIP providers may satisfy the PSAP connectivity requirements by interconnecting indirectly through a third party Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC).
  • Where E-911 is not supported, the VoIP provider must still transmit all 911 calls to the appropriate PSAP via the dedicated wireline E-911 network.
  • VoIP providers must submit a letter to the FCC detailing their compliance with the order.

Subscriber Communication and Solution Requirements

  • Immediately upon effectiveness of the FCC's order, VoIP providers must notify their current and new subscribers of the abilities and limitations of their current services with respect to access to 911 and E-911.
  • Limitations may include relocation of CPE, broadband failure, power outage, delays in updating registered locations.
  • VoIP providers must maintain records of affirmative acknowledgement by every subscriber of having received and understood the advisory.
  • VoIP providers must distribute stickers or labels warning subscribers that E-911 service may be limited or not available.
  • VoIP providers must provide end-users at least one method of updating their Registered Location, including at least one option that requires use only of the CPE the customer is using for the service.
  • The method provided must allow an end-user to update the Registered Location at will and in a timely manner.
  • VoIP providers may not allow subscribers to "opt-out" of 911 service.

Please Note: This information is intended only to summarize the provisions of the FCC order. Please consult the order and your counsel for greater specificity on how the order and future FCC regulations may impact your operations.

What is an interconnected VoIP provider?

An interconnected VoIP provider:
  • Enables real-time, two-way voice communications.
  • Requires a broadband connection from the user's location.
  • Requires IP-compatible Customer Premise Equipment (CPE), including soft phones.
  • Permits users to receive calls that originate on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and to terminate calls to the PSTN.