Broadband News

VoIP providers must allow 999 access

(26-07-07) - Ofcom has voiced concerns that VoIP users could suffer because they can’t call 999 in an emergency and has called on the industry to change this policy by 2008.

The telecommunications regulator warned that if users had to locate an ordinary landline or mobile phone, they might face a delay of seconds or minutes in getting through to emergency services, which “could prove critical” and cause “serious harm”.

Recent research by Ofcom showed that 78 per cent of Voice over IP users - who can make free or very cheap calls over their broadband connections - who cannot use their VoIP service to call 999, actually believed that they could.

In its proposals, published today, Ofcom said that certain VoIP suppliers - namely those that provide a paid-for service allowing users to call ordinary phone numbers - must also offer access to 999.

Chris Eagle, BroadbandChoices.co.uk commercial manager said: “Many customers are well aware of the money savings aspects of VoIP however, the industry clearly needs to do more to inform users of the drawbacks too - like not being able to call 999 - so that they don’t waste valuable time in an emergency, or panic because they can’t get through.”

In the last quarter of 2006, Ofcom reported that around 2.4 million, or 10 per cent, of UK households used VoIP products.