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Availability of E911 and 911 services when using a VOIP Internet phone

Emergency Services, 911, E911

If you download totally free software for your SIP Internet phone you do not have access to emergency 911 services. For our non-US visitors, the 911 system is an automated emergency call system for police, ambulance and other emergencies. The 911 system will automatically locate the caller or callers point of origin.

Paid products may or may not provide 911 services. You must check with your provider. If you do not have a land line, also known as a traditional telephone, determine the criticality of these services.

This website does not normally recommend specific products. Emergency services are different in our opinion. We recommend Packet 8 Services if you need 911 or E911 with your Internet phone. The link opens in a new window.

You must have power to your broadband connection and telephone to have 911 services during a power outage. Traditional telephone services continue to operate during a power outage. Of course portable phones and phones that plug in to the wall will not work during a power outage, but a straight traditional line powered phone does. That is because power is supplied by the phone company. This is a key critical difference with Internet phones. You should have a reliable battery backup, or be prepared to use a cell phone.

When the FCC mandated enhanced 911 capabilities for VoIP providers, it opened a potentially anti-innovative can of worms commissioners can't solve with one punitive pen stroke. VoIP E911 is a complex problem with no simple answers, but if the FCC wants to keep the burgeoning industry growing quickly, it should stimulate discussion and aid compliance instead of fixing itself into a scolding pattern.