By Steve Ranger, 26 July 2007 12:45
NEWS
Voice over IP phone services must allow users to make 999 emergency calls, under proposals published by communications watchdog Ofcom.
VoIP services are increasingly adopting the look and feel of traditional telephones, which increases the risk of confusion as to whether or not users have access to 999, said Ofcom. This means any VoIP service allowing users to make calls to ordinary phone numbers must also offer access to the emergency number by early 2008.
Research by the communications watchdog has revealed that 78 per cent of VoIP users who cannot use their service to call 999 either thought they could, or did not know whether they could.
Ofcom is concerned that if, in an emergency, VoIP users had to locate a landline or mobile phone because their VoIP service didn't offer 999, they might face a delay in getting help which could prove critical.
Some VoIP providers - for example BT and Vonage - already allow users access to 999. For other VoIP providers, Ofcom estimates the cost of allowing their users to call 999 is likely to be around 90 pence per household per year.
The number of households who say they have used VoIP telephony has grown rapidly - from around 1.2 million households at the end of 2005 to around 2.4 million households at the end of 2006. But Ofcom's research shows that only 64 per cent of UK households with VoIP use a supplier that provides 999 access.
Ofcom divides VoIP services into four main types: peer-to-peer services that make and receive calls to other PCs; 'VoIP Out' services which allow users to make calls to ordinary phone numbers but not receive them; 'VoIP In' services which allow users to receive calls from ordinary phone numbers but not make them; and full-service VoIP which allows users to make and receive calls to and from ordinary phone numbers.
Under Ofcom's proposals, providers of VoIP out and full-service VoIP would be required to offer access to emergency services.
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
This article misses the point that the 999 services people need to be able to locate the called. Many of the VoIP services mentioned do not provide this. Indeed many of them are 'non-geographic' and calls can be made from anywhere.
2. Richard
Sounds like the end of "free" VOIP:
Determining the geographic location of anyone using these "999" services will be a technical challenge.
The costs will be passed to the customers so may spell the end of "free" calls.
Perhaps it would be more realistic simply to inform VOIP customers more clearly about the lack of "999" services and to make VOIP phones more distinctive?
This is a far cry from the days when we were taught to run to a house which had telephone wires so that we could use one of the very few telephones!
3. galleyslave41
Again this is case of government agents interfering and attempting to control the internet and its services.
Most of us (regardless of the government statistics) only use VoIP on our computers, so to call 999 would take far too long! and would not be practical.
4. Chris Tolmie
Being able to call 999 and have some sense of location of caller is very important. Having had to call 999 for a very sick child this is a key capability.
I now have a BT Home Hub with their cordless phone and I selected the BT service because it provides all the features I normally use plus the 999 capability! Some free VoIP providers want all the business without any of the infrastructure responsibility or costs!!
Chris Tolmie - Nortel