Emergency 911 service over VoIP
VoIP 911 service is different from traditional landline 911 service. Please review this information carefully and ensure every Caller ID DID used for outbound calling is properly registered for e911 service.
How traditional 911 works
Traditionally, dialing 911 anywhere within the United States and Canada from a business or residential landline routes your call to a local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatcher who is trained to aid you in emergency situations by dispatching emergency medical, fire and law enforcement agencies to your location. The dispatcher is instantly provided with your physical address information.
How VoIP 911 service differs
VoIP 911 Service differs from traditional 911 services due to limitations brought on by VoIP technology. It is nearly impossible to detect where a call originates from when placed over the internet. e911 allows users to associate physical addresses with their DIDs, allowing them to have service similar to traditional 911.
When an emergency 911 call is placed over our VoIP network, the physical address entered at the time of e911 registration for a specific DID will be passed along to your local PSAP, providing the dispatcher with the exact location where help is required.
Unverified 911 calls and account fees
Important: If your outbound Caller ID DID is not registered for e911 service on our network, any 911 call placed using that unverified Caller ID may incur a per-call fee on your account.
This applies when the Caller ID number used for the emergency call has not been registered and verified with an e911 emergency service address.
Current unverified 911 call fee: $106 CAD per call
Test your e911 registration
You can test your number to confirm that, when placing a 911 call, your Caller ID and e911 registration can be identified.
Test number: 1-555-555-0911
Purpose: Test Caller ID and e911 registration status.
Recommended actions
- Register every DID used as outbound Caller ID for e911 service.
- Keep the registered emergency address accurate and up to date.
- Do not use unregistered Caller ID numbers for outbound calling.
- Download, print, and place e911 warning stickers on or near VoIP phones.
- Ensure users have an alternate means of contacting 911 in case VoIP service is unavailable.
If you subscribe to ourVoIP service please download and print our e911 Stickers
