FCC requires VoIP providers to report service outages

Emergency calls to 911 expected to become more reliable with the FCC's decision to treat VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service providers the same as landline and cell phone providers.

The Federal Communications Commission has decided to require all interconnected VoIP service providers to report network outages in much the way landline and cell phone service providers must follow.

"We are helping ensure that consumers will have access to reliable phone service, particularly when calling 911, whether they are using a traditional telephone or one that operates by interconnected VoIP service," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a statement. "Public safety is a core mission for the agency."

Voice over Internet Protocol use is steadily rising--around 31 percent of residential telephone subscriptions are now listed as using VoIP service, according to the FCC. And now, the commission is having to play catch up.

The FCC will have reports to track

Today's decision means that now the FCC will have reports to track and analyze information on VoIP outages and have a better idea on what is happening with 911 service. The FCC can at that time use this information to decide if something needs to be done to prevent future outages.

"The FCC has a statutory obligation to ensure the public can make emergency calls, particularly when facing life-threatening situations," said Genachowski.

The FCC made this decision

Although the FCC made this decision, it is on the whole waiting to take action on similar matters, just as reporting outages of broadband Internet service.

In other FCC news, the commission as well decided today to tighten rules against telemarketing calls and spam texts. Now telemarketers have to get written permission earlier contacting consumers; telemarketers are as well required to provide an opt-out method to all consumers receiving their texts and calls.

Dara Kerr, a freelance journalist based in the Bay Area, is fascinated by robots, supercomputers and Internet memes. When not writing about innovation and modernity, she likes to travel to far-off countries. She is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET.

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