Don't dial 999 with VoIP

Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator, have announced that from the 8th September 2008 all VoIP services that offer landline connection must also allow callers to dial 999 and 112 numbers.

This is not currently possible as unlike regular phones, internet based VoIP numbers cannot be used to trace your location. As connection to your local emergency services depends on tracking your global position, VoIP calls simply can't be put through.

Recent research has worryingly suggested that the vast majority of regular VoIP users are unaware that their internet phone service cannot be used to call for emergency help. Because of this, Ofcom have raised concerns that VoIP users could waste critical time in the event of an emergency trying to dial through to a service that isn't available, something that could potentially cost lives.

This new regulation will apply to all VoIP services that allow landline calls to be made or received while all other VoIP services will be required to inform users on purchase that emergency calls are unavailable.

This is a move that could see more and more people using VoIP as a realistic alternative to a landline phone as dialing the emergency services is obviously an essential requirement of any reliable communications medium.