Kiwi
Premium
join:2003-05-26
USA
 ·Comcast
 ·Aristotle Internet
| reply to JJV
Re: Called 911
It's interesting how things have done a complete circle, VoIP was never tauted for 911 and in fact it was nothing more than a cost effective competitor for POTS, more a 'Geek' thing.
It's nice to hear that e911 works though, I would hope so as we are all now paying for it. Everyone I know owns a cell phone and the ability to call 911.
Then a LOT of people thought it "Might" be a good idea to try it out and eventually those less attuned to the reason VoIP came into being became loud and obnoxious and forced a critical eye from the Government. Ok, most of us who came in on VoIP a long time ago get slightly irritated that costs were driven up as a consequence. Some won't have a clue what I'm talking about.
VoIP was more an 'Extra' something for people who didn't need the $36+ [BASIC] bill for a local ten mile service and not much else. VoIP provided a cheap, effective long distance plan without the long distant costs, with all the features one would expect to pay upward of $56 a month on a POTS line.
It's kind of sad that VoIP went mainstream. Of course now VoIP providers are out there claiming almost $40.00 for a $17.00 service.
The whole concept has been lost in the midst of yet another grand idea gone south. |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY
·Bresnan Online
 ·VOIPo
| I could not agree with you more. I have said it too often. Just like the "Minimum Wage" and that type of job wasn't MEANT to make a living on, neither was Voip originally designed to be a Ma'Bell replacement. The customers forced the features where they are. The customers demanded the quality and reliability where it has come to. The customers are responsible for the price where it is. And the customers are the ones writing, calling, and emailing the government officials and their representatives when voip doesn't perform just like Ma'Bell.
Of course, you can't blame Ma'Bell for fighting back and demanding that if Voip is going to be used as a Ma'Bell replacement, that Voip should have to pay the same 911 fees, taxes, USF, etc... that Ma'Bell is forced to charge and collect. Later... Mike.... |
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