Last Friday, the CRTC released a decision that will affect the cost of routing 9-1-1 calls for some VoIP service providers that offer flexible numbering to their customers, including nomadic and out-of-region number assignment. A number of these service providers have avoided use of ILEC 9-1-1 networks in their routing of emergency calls.
Bottom line:
the Commission determines that it is inappropriate for voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers to deliver 9-1-1 calls from their fixed/non-native and nomadic VoIP customers to public safety answering points (PSAPs) using low-priority telephone lines or restricted numbers.
The Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), representing the 9-1-1 service bureaus, told the CRTC that a majority of 9-1-1 emergency calls from fixed/non-native and nomadic VoIP service providers were being delivered over low-priority lines – administrative lines, lines designed for lower priority and non-emergency calls, and other inappropriate lines. Some of these lines are not staffed on a 24 hour basis and are not architected to have access to network protection during periods of high traffic loads.
The Commission notes that ILECs are the only entities that can provide telecommunications service providers with network connections to all the PSAPs in their serving territories. … Therefore, the Commission considers that [the ILECs’ zero-dialed emergency call routing service] 0-ECRS is the only emergency call routing solution on record that ensures that VoIP service providers or TPOs can obtain direct access to the appropriate PSAP anywhere in the country.
Watch for cost increases among the smaller VoIP providers. Will these translate into rising end user prices?