Intrado VoIP 9-1-1 Trial a Success

By Cindy Waxer

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

A successful trial run has Intrado executives eager to fully deploy its nationwide VoIP E9-1-1 network. A provider of integrated data and telecommunications solutions and VoIP E9-1-1 services, Intrado (News - Alert) completed its trial in New York City to automatically locate a mobile VoIP 9-1-1 caller.

 

During the test, the company reliably and consistently delivered VoIP location information to the appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP). The result: solid proof that VoIP end user devices such as soft phones can provide useful location information directly into a specific locality’s existing E9-1-1 network.

 

Intrado has long been at the forefront of developing E9-1-1 solutions for emerging technologies like VoIP, introducing the first VoIP E9-1-1 solution in 2003.  Currently, Intrado is in the process of completing deployment of its nationwide VoIP E9-1-1 network that enables delivery of VoIP calls into the native 9-1-1 network. 

 

Recognizing the need for a broader VoIP automatic location determination solution to support VoIP subscribers in an increasingly mobile environment, Intrado spearheaded a trial to test enabling technologies in a real world VoIP E9-1-1 environment. 

 

Intrado conducted test VoIP E9-1-1 calls in a variety of areas throughout New York City using different available location determination technologies.  Intrado normalized the outputs from each technology to automatically locate a VoIP caller and pass that information through the native E9-1-1 network to the appropriate PSAP in a usable format.

 

The trial serves as confirmation that Intrado can support the integration of real-time location information into the existing Intrado V9-1-1 Services platform.  Intrado’s integration of the technologies used in the trial allows for a solution that minimizes the need for self-provisioning and enables the end user device to determine E9-1-1 status and delivery. 

 

Such positive results have long been in the making for Intrado. In May 2005, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that VoIP services that interconnect with the public switched telephone network (PSTN) must provide E9-1-1 operators with the locations and telephone numbers of callers. The FCC (News - Alert) gave VoIP carriers 120 days to comply with the order or else be barred from offering Internet-based phone service to existing customers as of November 28th.

 

VoIP provider protest eventually forced the FCC to revise its stance earlier this year by stating that VoIP providers would be permitted to file a letter detailing how much of their subscriber base can receive 9-1-1 service rather than be forced to cut off callers who can’t dial into the enhanced network. However, along with this new order, the FCC added a new requirement that VoIP stop marketing their services and accepting new customers in areas where they are not transmitting 9-1-1 calls.

  

“Real-time location determination is an essential component of the E9-1-1 solution for mobile VoIP subscribers,” said Stephen Meer, Intrado chief technology officer and co-founder.  “This trial clearly indicates Intrado’s intention and ability to deliver this capability and provides a framework to leverage our V9-1-1 Services with emerging technologies.”