In article <403E2047.1080502@cox.net>, "Laurence F. Sheldon, Jr." <LarrySheldon@cox.net> writes
I think we will need also to make it illegal (to control the liability issues) to need emergency assistance in a place whose only link is via "public-IP".
This is an interesting issue, and one which is currently being debated in the UK (where a newly reformed regulator is taking a fresh look at VoIP)[1]. Most end users that I've discussed it with (geeks to a man) say it's not society's problem if they (the geeks) choose to limit their availability of emergency assistance[2], when buying a new toy like VoIP (and throwing away their POTS). I'm not sure that I entirely agree. Less well informed users probably need someone making that decision for them. (Just call me "Nanny".) [1] Should VoIP include 911/999 service, and how does one resolve the various geographic location issues associated with this. [2] By, for example, having no 911/999 service available *at all* from their chosen provider, and relying on a mobile phone or a neighbour with POTS. -- Roland Perry