Experts Say Gordon’s 911 Bill Will Ensure Public Safety

September 19, 2007, WASHINGTON – A panel of telecommunications and 911 experts testified before Congress on the need for U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon’s legislation to ensure the reliability of 911 calls made from Internet phone services.

“When Americans dial 911, they expect the call will go through regardless of what technology they use to place the call. But that’s not always the case. Roughly 98 million Americans live in areas where Internet phone providers do not have access to the 911 network,” said Gordon, a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications issues.

Today (Sept. 19), the committee’s Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee heard from a panel of experts from the National Emergency Numbering Association, Comcast, and other groups regarding Gordon’s bill, H.R. 3403, the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act.

Gordon’s legislation would facilitate the rapid deployment of emergency 911 services to Internet phone users. Telephone service through the Internet is a technology known as Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP.

The bill would give VOIP providers direct access to the 911 system, enabling them to provide full 911 service to their customers. Congress passed similar legislation to give wireless phone companies access to the existing 911 system.

The bill also requires the 911 Implementation and Coordination Office to develop a national plan to quickly move the nation from the current 911 system to an interoperable IP-based emergency response network that can handle voice, video and data traffic.

“This is a common sense public safety bill,” said Gordon. “We saw how our emergency communications systems collapsed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and after Hurricane Katrina. We need a more robust and reliable system that will be available to those who are facing a life-or-death emergency.”