Level 3 introduces nomadic E-911 solution

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A first step but not a complete solution

Level 3's announcement of a consumer-driven location update solution to nomadic VOIP E9-1-1 is a step in the right direction, but there are significant issues still to be solved.

The recent FCC ruling requires a VOIP provider to obtain a customer's address when first signing up for the service. The provider can (and should) verify that the address entered matches the local E9-1-1 system's Master Street Address Guide (MSAG). The MSAG is what allows the E9-1-1 system to determine what emergency responders are closest to the emergency, where exactly the emergency is, and other information. An address that has not ben validated against the MSAG is potentially unusable or, worse, could result in responders being sent to the wrong place.

Relying on citizens to enter a new location when they move, without a check against the MSAG, puts citizens at risk of putting in an incorrect location. (And that assumes the citizen will remember to change the location in the first place.)

Level 3's announcement is welcomed as an opening move in solving this complex situation. Let's not accept it as the final answer, however; on its own the caller relying on an unverified address is still worse off than the user of other technologies.

Dave Magnenat
ADCOMM Engineering Co.
www.adcommeng.com

Posted by: d.magnenat@...   Posted on: 06/27/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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