APCO Receives Senate Support on VoIP 9-1-1

Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International recently praised Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) for his support of VoIP 9-1-1. Along with Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D - Calif.), and others, Burns was able to work with the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to unanimously pass an amendment to "the VoIP Regulatory Freedom Act of 2004" (S.2281) to ensure federal, state and local jurisdiction over connected VoIP applications for 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 services.

APCO International released a "Call to Action" regarding this bill on July 15 asking its members to contact their elected officials to express public safety's position on the bill, including APCO International's opposition to voluntary standards for VoIP in regards to 9-1-1 and E9-1-1.

During the committee hearing last week, Burns provided an amendment to the bill addressing APCO International's concerns regarding 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 services jurisdiction including the ability of states and local jurisdictions to require providers of all VoIP applications to collect fees to support the provision of 9-1-1 or E9-1-1 services. The amendment was included in the markup of the bill last week.

"Burns has been a staunch champion of APCO International's efforts in the past," said APCO International President Vincent Stile. "We will promise to do our part and continue working on this issue with Congress, the FCC, industry and other public safety organizations in order to make sure implementation moves forward as quickly and seamlessly as possible."

Earlier this year, APCO International launched the VoIP Task Force, chaired by Kevin Kearns, director of information and telecommunications services for King County , Wash. The APCO International VoIP Task Force will serve as the public safety experts in finding solutions for VoIP E9-1-1.