Compliance Overivew

All interconnected VoIP providers must offer a certified E-911 solution by November 28, 2005. The actual FCC order can be viewed at www.fcc.gov for May 19, 2005, under “Commission Required Interconnected VoIP Providers to Provide Enhanced 911 Service.”

What is an interconnected VoIP Provider?

• Enables real-time, two-way voice communications.
• Requires a broadband connection from the user’s location.
• Requires IP-compatible Customer Premise Equipment (CPE), including soft phones.
• Permits users to review calls that originate on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and to terminate calls to the PSTN.

What is required of the VoIP provider?

• VoIP providers must transmit all calls to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) that serves the caller's registered location.
• The calls must be Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or psuedo-ANI-routed via the dedicated wireline E-911 network.
• The registered location must be available from or through the Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database.
  VoIP providers may satisfy the PSAP connectivity requirements by interconnecting indirectly through a third party Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC).
• Where E-911 is not supported, the VoIP provider must still transmit all 911 calls to the appropriate PSAP via the dedicated wireline E-911 network.
• VoIP providers must submit a letter to the FCC detailing their compliance with the order.

Subscriber Communications and Solution Requirements

• Immediately upon effectiveness of the FCC's order, VoIP providers must notify their current and new subscribers of the abilities and limitations of their current services with respect to access to 911 and E-911.
• Limitations may include relocation of CPE, broadband failure, power outage, delays in updating registered locations.
• VoIP providers must maintain records of affirmative acknowledgement by every subscriber of having received and understood the advisory.
• VoIP providers must distribute stickers or labels warning subscribers that E-911 service may be limited or not available.
• VoIP providers must provide end-users at least one method of updating their Registered Location, including at least one option that requires use only of the CPE the customer is using for the service.
• The method provided must allow an end-user to update the Registered Location at will and in a timely manner.
• VoIP providers may not allow subscribers to "opt-out" of 911 service.

Please note: This information is intended only to summarize the provisions of the FCC order. Please consult the order and your council for greater specificity on how the order and future FCC regulations may impact your operations.

BigCity Networks’ Certification Statement

As of August 15, 2005, BigCity Networks, Inc. has successfully passed 911 Operations Testing and is certified as E-911 compliant under the FCC order. Any customer questions or requests for additional information should be directed to e911service@bigcity.net.

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