9-1-1 VoIP (Internet) Phone

Issues Regarding VoIP Phone Service (Internet Phones)

BEFORE PURCHASING AN INTERNET BASED (VoIP) PHONE SERVICE, YOU MUST TAKE IMPORTANT LIFE, SAFETY AND LIABILITY CONCERNS INTO CONSIDERATION.

PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY!

CLACKAMAS COUNTY 9-1-1 CAN TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIMELINESS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSES TO RESIDENTS OR BUSINESSES UTILIZING INTERNET BASED PHONE SERVICE

• Some VoIP services DO NOT come with the ability to dial 9-1-1.  You must request and successfully activate the 9-1-1 type dialing feature before you can dial 9-1-1
   

• Not all VoIP providers offer traditional 9-1-1 access to emergency services.  While some VOIP providers are connected to the 9-1-1 network, there are Internet based phone services which offer a limited 9-1-1 TYPE service, which is NOT routed to the 9-1-1 dispatchers. Calls received from the latter are routed to the general telephone number for the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) or emergency service provider. These Internet based phone services require you (the consumer) to acknowledge that there may be a greater possibility that the general telephone number will produce a busy signal or will take longer to answer than traditional 9-1-1 dialing.
   

• Not all VoIP Providers CAN transmit identification of the address that you have listed.  You must be able to state the nature of the emergency, including the address or location in order to get help.  Emergency personnel WILL NOT be able to find your location if the call is unable to be completed, is dropped or is disconnected or if you are unable to speak to tell them this information.  It may or may not allow for local emergency personnel to identify your telephone number.
   

• Broadband, internet and/or power outages will render your VoIP phone useless, including dialing 9-1-1.  A power outage, broadband service outage or cable service outage affecting your home or business or a change in physical location of your Internet based phone service equipment will prevent you from being able to use Internet based phone service, and will prevent you from being able to call 9-1-1.
   

• There is a possibility of Network Congestion and/or Reduced Speed for Routing 9-1-1.  There is a greater possibility of network congestion and/or reduced speed in the routing of 9-1-1 communications utilizing Internet based phone service equipment as compared to traditional 9-1-1 dialing over traditional telephone networks.
   

• Safety & Liability. If there is an emergency at your residence or business and you are not there and have not instructed family, babysitters, guests, the elderly, or employees how to activate the Internet based phone service system, you may be placing them in danger because of the inability to contact emergency service.  Internet based phone service will not accept any responsibility or liability for the inability to contact emergency service sand requires that you indemnify Internet based phone service for any claims resulting from your or any other person's inability to dial 9-1-1 or to access emergency service personnel using Internet based phone service.
   

• Oregonian article about the issues with VoIP Internet phones - June 5, 2007