House Commerce Committee stamps VoIP notification
By SSN Staff
Updated Thu May 4, 2006
WASHINGTON--In late April the House Commerce Committee adopted by unanimous voice vote the Alarm VoIP Consumer Notification Amendment, sponsored by Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and supported by Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas).
The Alarm VoIP Consumer Notification Amendment will require VoIP providers to notify consumers before installation of VoIP phone service and number activation that they should have their emergency response provider test the alarm system, notify the emergency response provider after the VoIP service is installed, and provide a battery backup for the alarm system.
According to the Central Station Alarm Association, the next step will be consideration by the full House of Representatives sometime this week.
A companion bill expected to be introduced in the Senate, by Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Ark.)in the next few weeks does not currently have Alarm VoIP Consumer Notification language included. The CSAA is urging industry members to contact their senators, especially those who sit on the Senate Commerce Committee, to ask them to add that language into the telecommunications bill.
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