Telstra has submitted a position paper to the Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) regarding the issue of location services for emergency calls via the VoIP network. The company which is responsible for the operation of the emergency calling services has begun implementing a three digit number for VoIP calls to emergency service operators. The move is meant to sort the fatal confusion caused overseas, mainly in U.S., where callers have died as a result of making emergency requests via VoIP service. The nature of the technology makes it difficult to implement a system to track caller location. Telstra has been asking all the VoIP carriers and providers to attach a VoIP code so that dispatchers automatically know that the call is coming from a VoIP phone so that they can ask additional questions.



via [VoIPNews]