*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 53077.doc* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 For Immediate Release: News Media Contact: November 14, 2005 Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418- 0511 e- mail: rosemary. kimball@ fcc. gov JOINT FCC/ NARUC TASK FORCE ON VOIP 911 ENFORCEMENT LAUNCHES WEB SITE Washington, DC -- The Joint FCC/ NARUC Task Force on VoIP 911 Enforcement has launched a new Web site to provide consumers, industry and state and local governments information about the rules that require certain providers of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services to supply 911 emergency calling capabilities to their customers. The address is www. voip911. gov. The ability to access emergency services by dialing 911 is a vital component of public safety and emergency preparedness. VoIP service allows consumers to place a call like traditional telephone service; however, recent incidents in which consumers using VoIP service dialed 911 but were unable to reach emergency operators have highlighted a critical public safety gap. The FCC has taken steps to close this gap by requiring that, effective November 28, 2005, interconnected VoIP providers deliver all 911 calls to the customer’s local emergency operator. Interconnected VoIP providers must also provide the customer’s call back number and location information to the emergency operator if the emergency operator is capable of receiving this information. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin said, “Anyone who dials 911 has a reasonable expectation that he or she will be connected to an emergency operator; this expectation exists whether that person is dialing 911 from a traditional wireline phone, a wireless phone, or a VoIP phone. This new Web site will provide an easy way for consumers, industry and other government agencies to get the most current information on this important issue.” - FCC - FCC Contact: Lyle Ishida at (202) 418- 8240, e- mail: lyle. ishida@ fcc. gov NARUC Contact: Eddie Roberson at (615) 741- 2904, e- mail: eddie. roberson@ state. tn. us 1