Mandated Changes to VoIP Phone Systems
The Western New York Regional Information Center (WNYRIC) is preparing components for mandated changes to voice over internet phone (VoIP) systems. The Federal Communications Commission recently implemented or will be implementing three regulations that affect users of VoIP phone systems.
Beginning April 24, 2021, all customers in New York 516, 607, 716, 845 and 914 area codes will be required to transition to 10-digit dialing (ex. 716-821-7000).
“The FCC ordered that any area code that has the 988 prefix and has 7-digit local dialing be transitioned to 10-digit local dialing to ensure everyone is able to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline using the three-digit 988 code,” Kenneth Koch, Supervisor of WAN/VoIP Technical Services, explained. “You will need to dial the area code and seven-digit phone number going forward. However, for the time being, if you forget and dial the seven-digit number, it will still ring through.”
The other two pieces of federal legislation affecting VoIP users, Kari’s Law and Ray Baum’s Act, aim to provide the public with greater access to 9-1-1 emergency services while also improving emergency response outcomes.
Kari’s law came into effect last February and allows users to reach 9-1-1 without a prefix number, such as 9 or 8 to dial out. Under the law 8+9-1-1 is functional, but not required. Multi-telephone line systems (MLTS) will send a notification to the front desk when a 9-1-1 call has been placed.
The Ray Baum’s Act requires telephone systems provide certain critical information such as a dispatchable location to public safety answer points (PSAP) as well as additional information like floor and room number to locate the calling party. Non-fixed MLTS began compliance in January 2020 and fixed MLTS began compliance in January 2021.
“The distribution of the caller ID information to the public-safety answering point (PSAP) will be integrated into WNYRIC VoIP Services as a new sub-service of VoIP. We are currently in negotiation with Red Sky, the industry leader in E911 services,” Koch added.
For additional information please contact Kenneth Koch at kkoch@e1b.org, 716-821-7231 (office) or 716-377-6439 (cell).