State of New Jersey

STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Division of The Ratepayer Advocate
31 Clinton Street, 11th Fl.
P. O. Box 46005
Newark, New Jersey 07101

RICHARD J. CODEY
Acting Governor

SEEMA M. SINGH, Esq.
Ratepayer Advocate

Press Release

For Immediate Release
August 26, 2005

For Further Information
Contact: Robyn Roberts
Tel: 973-648-2690

N.J. Ratepayer Advocate Reminds Consumers to Comply With VoIP
Service Providers’ Notice Deadline for 911 Emergency Service

Newark, N.J.—New Jersey Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh today issued the following advisory: “I urge all consumers who use Voice Over Internet Protocol for their telecommunications service to comply with your carrier’s deadline to give notice acknowledging your awareness of the shortcomings of VoIP 911 emergency service.”

Service Providers of the Voice Over Internet Protocol technology known as VoIP were ordered in May by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to cease service by Aug. 30 to any customer who did not provide by August 29 the required acknowledgement regarding emergency 911 service. The FCC today issued some VoIP carriers-- who meet certain criteria--a 30-day deadline extension on the provision of documentation.

The FCC required that carriers have documentation of a customer’s awareness that 911 emergency service may not be available or may be limited through VoIP. In some instances, customers who use the technology may experience a delay in reaching emergency services.

The FCC has given VoIP providers until November to provide full emergency 911 capabilities.

The Division of the Ratepayer Advocate is an independent state agency that represents the interests of consumers of electric, natural gas, water/sewer and telecommunications and cable TV service. It serves as an active participant in every proceeding whenever New Jersey companies seek changes in rates or services. The Ratepayer Advocate also gives consumers a voice in setting long-range energy, water, and telecommunications policy that will affect the delivery of services well into the future. Additional information on this and other matters can be found at the Division of Ratepayer Advocate’s website at http://www.rpa.state.nj.us

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