Providers seek extension as E911 cutoff date nears

Thousands of VoIP customers could lose service next week, unless the FCC grants an extension to providers, a coalition of VoIP providers said in a letter to the FCC. Under current rules, any VoIP customer who doesn't acknowledge that they may not be able to reach 911 must be cut off from the service. The VON Coalition asked  the FCC today for another 90 days before cutting off customers,  the AP reported.

"A mother may try to call a poison control center; a distressed teenager may try to call a prevention suicide line; a father may need to notify a child about the health of a grandparent," the letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said.

Vonage said that 96% of customers had acknowledged the problems with 911, which leaves some 36,000 customers who could be cut off on Tuesday. Providers have until November to provide full 911 capabilities.