e911 Service

How e911 Service Works

When you place a 911 call from either a VOIP or traditional telephone, the call is routed to a local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). With traditional phones, information about your location also appears on the 911 operator's screen so emergency services can be directed to your location. Enhanced 911 also transmits these location information "screen pops" to allow faster emergency response. The wireless telephone industry also has an enhanced 911 service, but the technology is different from VOIP enhanced 911 service. Both services route calls to the nearest PSAP, however.

More About e911 Service

E911 servicet can be added to your package for a low monthly fee. Customers without enhanced 911 can still call 911, but you'll need to be able to provide the operator with your location.

Although VoIP providers strive to provide reliability, there are certain circumstances when enhanced 911 service may not be available. These include:

• Power outage
  
  
• Service outage
  
  
• Account suspension
  
  
• PSAP unable to receive enhanced 911 transmissions
  
  

In other instances, your enhanced 911 service may be not be operating as it should be, even though the service is available and the PSAP can receive the information. These occasions include:

• VOIP call not located at physical address listed on your account
  
  
• Change of address not updated in the VOIP system
  
  

Although VoIP providers work to ensure that your e911 service is always available, you may want to sign for basic traditional phone service and a corded plug-in phone if you live in an area prone to natural disasters or power outages. You may also opt to use a cell phone for emergency calls, but cell phone towers may not be reliable in extended disaster situations.

Some PSAPs are not yet equipped to receive enhanced 911 calls, or your call may be routed to a different PSAP than the one nearest your location. If you're able to speak, be prepared to give the operator your address, city, county, and state. You should also provide your phone number so the operator can call you back if you're disconnected.

e911 service is completely reliable in most circumstances. Be sure to ask for it when you sign up for residential or business VOIP service.