Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with VoIP and Emergency 911? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you've ever wanted to know about VoIP and Emergency 911.

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol has gained much popularity today. There are many advantages consumers are discovering to using their broadband connections to handle all of their telecommunication needs. People also prefer integrating their telephony into one simple network. VoIP can handle all components such as voice, data, email, and web communications.

When VoIP first was revealed, it opened the door to many questions. For example, VoIP transmits packets of data, or information, over the Internet, while regular telephone services work by transmitting circuits- or electricity to create a connection between one telephone user and another. An example of this is the old switchboard operators who wearing headsets would frantically try to make the right connection and have the correct talkers communicate with each other.

This old method of using the telephones is called Circuit Switch Networks. Because VoIP utilizes packets of information, it is called Packet Switch.

There have been complications in the way VoIP users or Packet Switch networks connect to the Emergency 911 systems. Back in August 1999, the Wireless Communications and Safety Public Act took effect. This Act enforces that all telephone carriers and services will provide 911 services for all of its customers. Mobile phone carriers were having a hard time with the Wireless Communications and Safety Public Act when their services first were initiated. Currently, all mobile services provide emergency 911 services for all of their customers.

When a person calls 911, their call is routed to Public Safety Answering Point Dispatcher. It is the nature of the Emergency 911 system that when the phone call arrives at the Public Safety Answering Point Dispatcher the caller’s identification will be displayed. This includes the caller’s name (or the one registered for the phone) and address. Mobile phone carriers have now included a global tracking system so that location can be traced to the specific location where the call is being placed.

The wireless form of 911 is known as E911 or Enhanced 911. This includes displaying a cellular phone caller’s location as well as extending it to a surrounding range of 50-300 meters.

This brings us to VoIP and the difficulties that VoIP service providers have when it comes to 911. First, VoIP is not a landline service. It is wireless or used by a router connected to your broadband High Speed Internet connection. This means, that you are not going to be recognized by your physical address, but by your IP address.

The information about VoIP and Emergency 911 presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about VoIP and Emergency 911 or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

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