The U.S. Senate approved S. 428, the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act. The measure would require Internet telephone companies to offer enhanced 911 services to all subscribers. This legislation ensures that those using Voice-over Internet Protocol services can dial 911 during an emergency. The bill was previously approved by the Senate Commerce Committee last year and now moves to the House of Representatives where it awaits consideration.

The Senate bill has two provisions authored by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The first provision addresses the issue of Federal Communications Commission authority. The change will give the FCC the authority it needs to fold 911 requirements into new phone services as they evolve, without requiring Congressional intervention for each new technological evolution.

The second provision addresses future Internet Protocol-based 911 networks. Fifty percent of American counties do not have enhanced 911 capabilities. The amendment requires a study to identify mechanisms and timetables for developing next generation 911 capability ubiquitously. The study of the next generation network also would be required to incorporate altitude information and identify technical solutions to address multi-story buildings where identifying the building address is not enough.

Making 9-1-1 service available and effective for all Americans today and in the future as technology advances is a top priority for NENA and APCO, the National Emergency Number Association and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, said in a joint statement. There is currently no more important issue than ensuring emerging technologies are able to seamlessly connect to the 911 system and that we as a nation are taking steps to advance towards a Next Generation 911 and emergency communications system. NENA and APCO remain focused on the need for continued deployment of E911 for all technologies, the need for appropriate liability protections for 911 telecommunicators and service providers, and the need to ensure adequate funding is available for today's 9-1-1 system as well as the migration to an IP-based Next Generation 9-1-1 system. This act is a step in the right direction to make these important priorities a reality, the groups said.

The associations said that the House companion bill, the 911 Modernization Act of 2007 (HR 3403), are similar, but have differences that must be addressed.