Vonage and SBC Spar Over 911 Tests
Vonage and SBC are sparring over SBC’s refusal to join with Vonage to test a VoIP-based 911 system. Vonage asked the Bell companies to help test its 911 solution (CD Feb 28 p10). But SBC said in a March 25 letter it couldn’t participate in a “separate, proprietary trial” because Vonage was only one of several firms offering or planing to offer VoIP service.
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“SBC cannot agree to engage in numerous individual tests with each and every VoIP service provider,” SBC said. SBC said it is more interested in finding a solution usable with any VoIP provider in its region. SBC said it was “actively engaged” in efforts to develop national standards through the Alliance for Telecom Industry Solutions (ATIS) and the National Number Emergency Assn. (NENA).
Vonage responded with a March 28 letter expressing “concern and disappointment” at SBC’s refusal to join the test. Vonage Exec. Vp Christopher Rice said: “Vonage is the largest provider of VoIP services in the United States. By rejecting Vonage’s offer, SBC effectively chooses to deny an opportunity to immediately improve [911] capabilities to hundreds of thousands of customers in its service territory. While our companies may be competitors, the public welfare demands that we work cooperatively on matters of public safety.” Vonage said “it is not enough for SBC to point to the efforts of industry bodies” to find a way to provide 911 service over VoIP because “as the gatekeeper of the emergency services network throughout SBC’s service area, SBC holds a special obligation to embrace solutions that will protect the public safety.”
Responding to Vonage, an SBC spokesman said: “Vonage appears more concerned about finding ways to provide E911 on the cheap. But there are no shortcuts when it comes to public safety.” He said SBC doesn’t own the 911 networks and it’s up to its customers, the public safety organizations, decide how VoIP services get access.
At least one other Bell -- BellSouth -- has spurned Vonage’s request to test its system. A BellSouth spokesman confirmed his company was offered a chance to run a test in Fla. but said BellSouth’s “911 tandems aren’t set up to do what Vonage is seeking.” BellSouth said it is working with NENA to develop standards. A Vonage spokeswoman said the company is talking to Verizon about a test in N.Y. and hasn’t received a response from Qwest.
“We have never, I emphasize never, asked for free service,” said the Vonage spokeswoman. “We want to buy it at a fair price.” She disputed contentions that SBC doesn’t own the emergency network. “The PSAPs are their customers, yes, but SBC owns the lines and determines who has access,” she said. “This is an issue of access to a public trust.”