VoIP Telephony
CWA Commends FCC E-911 Decision
May 23, 2005
The Honorable Kevin J. Martin
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairman Martin:
The Commission did the right thing last week in the E911 Order requiring interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers to provide enhanced 911 capabilities to their customers no later than 120 days after the effective date of the order.
As you noted in your statement, anyone who dials 911 has a reasonable expectation that he or she will be connected to an emergency operator, regardless of whether the person dials 911 from a traditional wireline phone, a wireless phone, or a VoIP phone. In adopting this Order, the commission has taken an important step to protect public safety over our communications networks even as technologies evolve.
Similarly, we look to the Commission to act expeditiously to protect and promote other long-standing goals of U.S. communications policy in the IP world, including universal service, access for people with disabilties, network reliability, consumer protections, and other public safety obligations.
CWA represents more than 700,000 consumers of communications services. Among our members are public safety officers, emergency service operators, and employees who build, maintain, and service our communications networks. All join me in applauding the Commission's action in the E911 Order.
Sincerely,
Mortn Bahr
President
| cc: |
Kathleen Q. Abernathy |
| |
Michael J. Copps |
| |
Jonathon S. Adelstein |
