Senate committee extends E911 provisions to VoIP providers

The Senate Commerce Committee passed legislation to extend liability and other provisions of the 1999 wireless enhanced 911 act to Internet Protocol voice communications.
The measure would grant IP-enabled voice providers the right of access to essential 911 components comparable to the rights of access accorded mobile phone carriers and would also clarify the right of states and localities to impose 911 fees on IP-enabled voice services providers for use of E911, or other public safety purposes. The legislation would direct the E911 Implementation Coordination Office to develop and report to Congress on a national plan for migrating to an IP-enabled emergency network within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.
“When it comes to public safety and services like E911, we must always strive to do better,” said Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). “When lives are on the line, first responders need location information that is as accurate as possible. The IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act would ensure that first responders receive accurate information, which would, without a doubt, save lives.”