911 Modernization and Public Safety Act would tie VoIP to 911 backbone

A bill winding through the U.S. Congress would go along way to making E911 calls over VoIP lines more efficient.

I am referring to the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act. If passed and signed into law, VoIP providers would be able to obtain direct access to the backbone of the E911 system. Not only that, but related liability protections- already available to landline and cell- would be extended to VoIP providers.

"The E911 legislation is designed to ensure that a consumer calling 911 in an emergency from an Internet phone … can do so with a degree of confidence matching that of traditional phone service and wireless service," said Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, said in a statement.

Additionally, the bill directs the  911 Implementation and Coordination Office to craft a national plan to quickly move the nation from the current 911 system to an interoperable IP-based emergency response network that can handle voice, video and data traffic.

The bill is now on its way to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.