Prohibiting PSAPs from Managing Administrative Lines is Absurd
Washington, DC - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today in response to Vonage's suggestion that the nation's Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) be forced to alter their operations and accept Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) emergency calls through their 10-digit administrative numbers, rather than the universal three-digit number that Congress, the FCC, and the public has designated as the emergency phone number (9-1-1).
Over the past several months, it has been highlighted that some VoIP systems do not provide access to enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) services. VoIP providers recently agreed to voluntarily work towards permanent solutions and, in the interim, to begin routing 9-1-1 calls to 10-digit emergency numbers.
"This is not an acceptable solution, as it negates the benefits of a 21st century technology by reverting back to a 1960's method of reporting life threatening emergencies," APCO International President Greg Ballentine said. "Routing VoIP 9-1-1 calls to 10-digit emergency numbers disrupt and strain the limited resources of PSAPs, which are already struggling to provide wireless E9-1-1 capability."
APCO International's position is that all emerging technologies, including VoIP, should be required to readily and easily provide customers access to E9-1-1 services.
"APCO International does not believe that 9-1-1 should have to adjust for or cater to emerging technologies," Ballentine said. "Emerging technologies should be implemented with 9-1-1's needs and requirements already in mind."
To download the APCO International letter, visit www.apcointl.org/about/gov/PDF/VonageResponse041505.pdf.
About APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, Inc. is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO serves the professional needs of its 17,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.
