Britain has joined the U.S. to mandate the enabling of emergency calls from U.K.-based VoIP services. The new rules formulated by telco regulator Ofcom will come into effect Sept. 8 and follow a survey that showed 78 percent of VoIP users couldn't access emergency numbers, or were unsure if they could.
The new rules will apply to "VoIP out" providers, which allow users to make calls to normal phone numbers but not receive them, as well as to "two-way VoIP" providers. But Ofcom said services that are only for international callers and click-to-call services, where users can only call a pre-selected number or limited set of numbers, are excluded.
For More:
- Ofcom emergency calling Release
[1]- BBC Report [2]
Related articles:Â
- FCC gives VoIP service providers 4 months to launch 911 Report [3]Â
- e911 bill provides VoIP liability protection Report [4]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercewireless.com/press-releases/ofcom-confirms-voip-providers-must-provide-access-999-and-112
[2] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7132229.stm
[3] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/fcc-gives-voip-service-providers-4-months-to-launch-911/2005-05-20
[4] http://www.fierceenterprisecommunications.com/story/e911-bill-provides-voip-liability-protection/2007-09-20