[VoiceOps] e911 warning stickers on phones

[Carlos Alvarez]

On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 12:36 PM, Mary Lou Carey
<marylou at backuptelecom.com> wrote:
> I would think the FCC is more concerned with things that are not obvious.
> Most people understand that a phone with an electric plug doesn't work when
> the power goes out just as much as they understand when it's not connected

Have you ever talked to an END USER?  We have actually received calls
about the phones not working when the power was out.  Funny thing is
that a PBX also shuts down without power unless they have a
properly-sized battery backup, but end users expect VoIP phones to be
like home phones; line powered at all times.

And of course we have received the classic call saying, "Our internet
and phones are not working.  The internet will be fixed tomorrow.  Can
you fix the phones today?"

> you move it to another location." If you are a VOIP provider that does not
> make people sign 911 waivers, then you could follow that up with an "unless
> you call this number and update your new location" (or whatever method you
> use to let them update their location).

We include the location warning in our contract, with a separate
initialed section.  But only one person sees those.

> making the call to see it. I would also include a disclaimer that in the
> contract and on the sticker that if someone removes the sticker, the phone
> provider is no longer liable for not notifying the person dialing 911.

So far I'm leaning towards a sticker on the underside of the center of
the handset:

e911 WARNING
This phone may not be able to dial 911 during power outages, if the
internet service is down, or at other times.  If you move this phone
you MUST notify TelEvolve of your new address, otherwise emergency
responders may never reach you.


-- 
Carlos Alvarez
TelEvolve
602-889-3003