Nuvio Wants VoIP 911 Deadline Delayed

VoIP phone provider Nuvio will challenge the rules making 911 emergency calling services mandatory for Internet phone providers by November 28 of this year, the company said on Monday. Nuvio is arguing that the deadline is unreasonable and traditional telcos and wireless providers had years to develop their services.

The ruling was issued in May of this year after testimony from users who were affected by the lack of 911 services. Several cases have occurred where emergency assistance was delayed due to the system not routing calls correctly, or failing to work at all.

"The 120-day requirement imposed by the FCC is arbitrary and capricious and without support in the record," Jason Talley, president and CEO of Nuvio argued in a statement. "In fact, the record clearly shows that wireless companies have been given decades to implement this type of 911 service and are still far from completion."

Nuvio asked for a decision on the matter by November 7 of this year, and threatened to suspend some customers if the FCC gave no leniency.

It's not exactly clear what issues Nuvio may be having with implementing 911 services for its customers. In May, close to the time of the ruling, SBC, BellSouth and Verizon penned deals with Vonage to ensure that 911 works within those companies' service areas.

The FCC has declined to comment on the matter, but it appeared no delay would be granted, calling the threat to public safety "too great."

Under the policy, VoIP providers must alert their users as to the limitations of 911 services. If customers do not respond by August 29, the FCC said their service should be disconnected. According to Nuvio, it have received a response from 76 percent of customers.

Nuvio has approximately 10,000 VoIP customers.