There is no doubt that accurate and reliable 9-1-1 services will be an integral component of VoIP’s future success. As such, VSPs must quickly respond to the challenges of locating 9-1-1 callers, routing the calls to the nearest PSAP and automatically delivering caller location and call back number to the PSAPs. The best approach for resolving these challenges is for VSPs to deploy comprehensive I2 solutions.

The major benefits of the I2 approach are rapid validation of caller location, simplified PSAP integration and accurate location, routing and delivery for all types of VoIP subscribers. Rapid address validation represents an obvious advantage to VoIP subscribers: while database solutions can require 24-48 hours to validate address updates, network technology-based solutions can provide address validation within an hour.

Additionally, PSAPs prefer I2 solutions because they cannot afford to make further upgrades to emergency communication systems. (Recently PSAPs were required to make costly technology upgrades to support cellular E9-1-1 services. Most have just fulfilled these requirements, and they are unlikely to make substantial new upgrades voluntarily in the near future.) By selecting a solution that is familiar to the PSAP, VSPs can avoid having 9-1- 1 calls misrouted to PSAP administrative lines. The end result is the ability to deliver fast, reliable, and accurate E9-1-1 services for all VoIP subscribers, whether static, nomadic, or mobile.

Moving to an I2 solution opens the door to additional benefits: in the near future there may be IP services that automatically send additional useful information to the PSAPs. Medical history, emergency contacts and other relevant data could be instantly transmitted across the IP network and delivered to emergency responders.