The Senate Commerce Committee has approved the VoIP E911 bill brining the right to access essential 911 components for the service providers. This is the similar right as offered to the mobile phone carriers.
The bill, which has been passed this week also clarifies the right of states and localities to fix 911 fees on the VoIP service providers for use of E911 and other public safety purposes.
According to the bill, the E911 Implementation Coordination Office is required to inform the Congress about the national plan for migrating to an IP-enabled emergency network within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.
Daniel Inouye, Chairman of Senate Commerce, has rightly pointed out,
When lives are on the line, first responders need location information that is as accurate as possible. The IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act would ensure that first responders receive accurate information, which would, without a doubt, save lives.
The bill will be tabled in the Senate. It seems that the senators will support the bill unanimously.
