For Level 3, VoIP E911 is a huge opportunity

Yesterday's FCC dictate that VoIP services must offer E911 access within 120 days is not only a clock-ticking mandate.

Given the complexities and the rather short time frame involved, the ruling represents a huge opportunity for third-party E911 access solution providers. I'm talking about companies such as communications and network services vendor.

Level 3 positions itself as able to deliver E-911-enabled VoIP services to areas encompassing more than 66 percent of U.S. households, as well as the key supplier of E911 service to a wide range of cable companies, ISPs, carriers and other VoIP access providers.

So it's not surprising that when the ruling came down yesterday, Level 3 CEO James Crowe's reaction kind of lived up to his surname:

“We look forward to working with our existing and prospective customers over the next few months, and beyond, to help them comply with the FCC’s requirements in this area," he said in a statement. "Voice over IP remains one of the most important and promising technologies in the industry today, and we believe the Commission’s order will help ensure that VoIP lives up to its full potential.”

Oh, and the full potential of Level 3's stock as well. Right after the ruling, Level 3's stock price rose more than 18 percent yesterday.