Is there an easy way to find out the 10 digit phone number of the local 911 call center? I’d call the police, but they’d probably not understand what I’m talking about.
I’ve looked over the PUC of Texas website and I can’t find anything relating to Vonage or VoIP. However, I did find this:
Bolding is mine.
Like I said, Vonage didn’t appear in the lists of approved CLECs or ILECs in Texas. They may fall under the category of ‘Alternative Provider’, but they would still be held to the same standard. I do know that SBC can be bitch to deal with on interconnect agreement and may have been stalling Vonage. If that is the case, than Vonage should not have been providing service. My gut feeling is that SBC and Vonage are both splitting the blame here.
No, they didn’t. I know this because during a demo prior to rollout someone asked about E911, and they said “we didn’t think about that.”
911 for VoIP and cell service work completely differently. They are not the same in any way, shape or form.
I agree, more or less, but it kind of depends on your definition of “wrong.” They certainly left consideration of E911 provision until very late in development (meaning “after they were done with it”) and that was only after outsiders pointed it out to them.
Even here a 911 call from a VoIP subscriber will be connected to a PSAP, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a 911 operator, and it doesn’t guarantee a database dip. Sometimes the phone rings on a desk in the building somewhere.
It’s not entirely their fault, because that’s the nature of internet telephony: customer supplied information is needed, because the network won’t tell you squat. That doesn’t change the fact that what we have is a kludge that kinda-sorta works ok, but is nowhere near as reliable or transparent as E911 for POTS.
911 for cell customers is a different headache entirely, but but for me that’s mostly because of the “only in New York would we do something this stupid” factor.
I should have hit preview.
They tend to claim that they’re not subject to state regulation because states don’t have jurisdiction over the internet.
It seems to me that they fit the definition of common carrier perfectly, but nobody asks me.
While you can buy Vonage ready routers at Best Buy, you can also get one supplied through Vonage that you leave a deposit for which you get returned if and when you quit their service and return the box.
As you don’t seem to know that and a few other things about Vonage, I wonder what else you’re bullshitting us on.
While you can buy Vonage ready routers at Best Buy, you can also get one supplied through Vonage that you leave a deposit for which you get returned if and when you quit their service and return the box.
As you don’t seem to know that and a few other things about Vonage, I wonder what else you’re bullshitting us on.
Cite? who asked about it? Who did they ask?
Yes, they work differantly but with similar results. If I call 911 on my vonage line at home it gets transfered to the Fort Worth 911 call center, sans any address info. If I call 911 on my cell phone it gets transfered to the the Fort Worth 911 call center, sans any address info. As far as the user is concerned in most places, its the same.
cite?
True, but thats pointed out when you buy it, and you have an option to return it if this not acceptable.
only in New York?
What the flying fuck does any of this have to do with anything I said?
Do you honestly believe that I’m going to be able to find you a linkable cite where Vonage admits they didn’t think about it until they were ready for rollout? I was there and heard it with my own ears. That’s about the best I can do.
I have absolutely no problem with this. Most, if not all, 911 failures are attributable to idiot customers rather than Vonage, other carriers, or PSAPs. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s just not going to work as well as a call from a POTS line.
And you’ll be connected with a 911 dispatcher. Not guaranteed with VoIP.
It’s sort of off topic, but cell service works differently here. Older phones work sort of the way you describe, but if I call from mine the network can locate me to within about 50 meters. Not great, but better than nothing.
Again, I’m talking about crazy-assed New York, where cell calls to 911 don’t get directed to the PSAP anyway.
Ok, so you you heard someone say that. I’ll buy that. Maybe it was some dweeb hired to sell it at a trade show, who didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. Thats why I asked who said it. I doubt they didn’t think about it before they were ready for a rollout, and some guy who worked for vonage saying that doesnt mean anything.
[quote]
I have absolutely no problem with this. Most, if not all, 911 failures are attributable to idiot customers rather than Vonage, other carriers, or PSAPs. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s just not going to work as well as a call from a POTS line.
[/qutoe]
nobody evers said it would
Which is SBC’s fault. And the local police dept. Because all vonage does is direct the call to the local police, and if the local police give vonage a number that rings the janitors closet its not vonages fault.
Just wanted to add this update (Note: New York Times, registration required).
Apparently, the FCC has decided that VoIP companies must provide 911 service. They are also requiring traditional phone companies to cooperate in providing access to PSAPs.
I did call 911 using Vonage last year. I did get through to 911 and was taken to the hospital(gall bladder).
So… Not everything thrown at Vonage is true.
I guess it’s like the old story of the city and the stoplight. Someone asks the street commissioner to put a light at a bad corner. He says, “We’ll do it once somebody gets killed.” (The MSNBC item included a baby who died when her breathing stopped.)