Peel Regional Police press releases and community events information.Peel - Peel Regional Police, along with the Ontario9-1-1 Advisory Board are warning consumers who are considering buying or have already purchased Internet-based telephone service to be aware of certain technical 9-1-1 limitations.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a telephone service that connects calls to the internet as a means of communicating with other telephones. The VoIP system is becoming increasingly popular because it is less expensive to rent and make long distance calls. The traditional 9-1-1 system, which is based on the use of landlines, provides that the emergency call will be directed to the correct 9-1-1 Centre and provide automatic address and telephone information. This is not guaranteed with the VoIP system.
Here are some of the limitations of VoIP services during an emergency:
Consumers are strongly urged to consider these facts and ask the following questions before subscribing to a VoIP service:
Will I be able to dial 9-1-1?
Do you provide enhanced 9-1-1? (telephone number and address)
Will my 9-1-1 calls go directly to the local 9-1-1 centre?
Will my address information be presented to the 9-1-1 centre?
Public Safety is a priority to both the Peel Regional Police and the Ontario9-1-1 Advisory Board. Consumers should contact their VoIP telephone service providers to clarify the options and restrictions of their products pertaining to access to 9-1-1. VoIP service providers are required to advise consumers of the limitation of their service in regards to accessing 9-1-1.
For further information, please click on the following links http://www.oab911.ca/ or http://www.peelpolice.on.ca/.