VoIP Legislation Proposed

You’ll recall that the FCC implemented rules on VoIP and 911 back in May 2005, and VoIP providers have since been working to interconnect their systems with 911 networks to allow direct access between 911 callers an PSAPs. Since then, the U.S. Senate has passed legislation (S. 428 pdf) to essentially mandate the same requirements, and was approved by a Senate committee on April 25th. Now Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) says he will propose House legislation to match the Senate’s bill, providing liability protections to VoIP providers and requiring them to link directly to 911 networks. The cellular and VoIP industries generally oppose the legislation, saying the FCC’s rules are sufficient.