VOiP and 911

I know there has been talks before about VOiP and pros/cons I just thought everyone should be aware of this. I knew about it previously but I suppose it could be eaily missed. http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/05/03/wo/wo_hellweg032505.asp <snip> Why couldn't Johns call 911 in her moment of utmost need? Because her family was using phone service from Vonage, the leading voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service in the United States. The 911 emergency service doesn't come preinstalled with the basic Vonage package. To activate the account, users need to provide the company with a street address, a fact the family didn't realize. <snip>

Adam Haskell wrote: > I know there has been talks before about VOiP and pros/cons I just > thought everyone should be aware of this. I knew about it previously > but I suppose it could be eaily missed. Heh, when we set up our VoIP system in the office they asked me about E911; I told them it wasn't an issue for us. My office is 2 doors down from the volunteer fire hall and my office mate is a past president of the fire company and an active volunteer ambulance driver.  We know how to get help faster than calling 911 ;) Hatton

> To activate the account, users need to provide the > company with a street address, a fact the family didn't realize. erm... all the companies I've been investigating for VOIP state very very plainly that 911 is an extra charge and must be opted into. How'd they miss it? -- will "If my life weren't funny, it would just be true; and that would just be unacceptable." - Carrie Fisher

Was kind of woundering the same thing. Packet 8 has it stated pretty clearly, I think vonage does as well but thier advertising does not atleast thats what I am gather from the article is that they are taking issue against Vonage's advertising which claims to be an alternative to the standard land line... Adam H ----- Excess quoted text cut - see Original Post for more -----