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Pending 9-1-1 Legislation IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005
Summary: · Provides states with the authority to enforce the FCCs rules in this area and collect fees from VoIP providers · Provides liability protection for PSAPs, VoIP providers and users of VoIP services · Ensures that VoIP providers have access to E9-1-1 components and are treated in the same manner as wireless providers in seeking access to 9-1-1 components · Requires National 9-1-1 Implementation and Coordination Office to submit a plan to Congress on the migration towards an IP-Enabled 9-1-1 system · Provides explicit authority to FCC to set regulations concerning E9-1-1 for IP-enabled services · Does not allow service cut-off to existing customers through 12/31/2005 as long as they have notified and received acknowledgement from those customers on service limitation, but requires VoIP providers to report on their progress to provide E9-1-1 to these customers · Allows FCC to grant waivers to VoIP providers who have provided notice and received acknowledgement from customers and who can demonstrate that it is not technically or operationally feasible to comply with FCC requirements in the given time frame. Granting of the waiver is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the FCC · Prevents VoIP Providers, after 12/31/2005, from offering service to customers in areas where such providers cannot offer 9-1-1 or E9-1-1
Summary (as introduced): IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005 – Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to establish a set of requirements or obligations on providers of IP-enabled voice service (Internet protocol-enabled service for real-time two-way or multidirectional voice communications) to ensure that 911 (emergency) services and E-911 services (services that automatically delivers a 911 call to the appropriate public safety answering point) are available to customers of IP-enabled voice service. Requires: (1) nondiscriminatory IP provider access to 911 and E-911 services; (2) IP providers to provide to customers a clear and conspicuous notice of the unavailability of 911 and E-911 services; and (3) IP provider and user immunity in the provision and use of 911 and E-911 services to the same extent as local exchange companies and other persons, respectively.
Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to require the E-911 Implementation Coordination Office to develop and report to Congress on a national plan for migrating to a national IP-enabled emergency network capable of receiving and responding to all citizen activated emergency communications. Assure Emergency and Interoperability Communications for First Responders Act of 2005 (S 1725)
Summary:
A bill to strengthen Federal leadership, provide grants, enhance outreach and guidance, and provide other support to State and local officials to enhance emergency communications capabilities, to achieve communications interoperability, to foster improved regional collaboration and coordination, to promote more efficient utilization of funding devoted to public safety communications, to promote research and development by both the public and private sectors for first responder communications, and for other purposes.
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