If you have additional questions or concerns regarding 9-1-1 service with a VoIP telephone, please contact your VoIP service provider or you can contact the Emergency Communications District (9-1-1) at (731) 423-3911.

Here are some helpful hints when dialing 9-1-1 from a Voice Over Internet Protocol, also known as VoIP, phone service. VoIP, in many ways, looks and works just like a regular phone. The service uses an Internet data connection to connect a standard telephone device to another similar device, in order to place telephone calls.

While this service does provide important cost savings to consumers, current VoIP technology may not provide for the transmission of your physical location along with the voice call. Please inquire if 9-1-1 service is included in your package.

However, even with a registered VoIP telephone, there are hazards. If you take the device on the road a long distance or internationally, any 9-1-1 call from the device would most likely be routed to the registered 9-1-1 center back in your home region.

Before you dial 9-1-1 from a VoIP telephone please review the following points:

• Verify that you can access 9-1-1 with your phone. Check your VoIP service provider’s website for emergency calling features.
• Post your address and call back phone number near your phone. Often the 9-1-1 calltaker will not have a display of the number you called from or your location. In addition, your call may be delivered on a non-emergency line, without a display of your location. Inform family members, children, babysitters, and visitors about your VoIP service.
• Be sure to keep your registered location current with your VoIP provider. If you travel with your VoIP adapter, be sure to update your registered location with your service provider. However, remember that it takes considerable time to process the update. Therefore, when traveling, if you need 9-1-1 service, know your location.
• If the power is out, your VoIP service may be out too. You may be unable to make any calls, including those to 9-1-1 during an electrical outage. Similarly, you may not be able to make 9-1-1 calls from your VoIP phone if your broadband or your cable service provider has an outage, or if any other service disruptions keep you from being able to make any outbound call.
• It is a good idea to know what police, fire, sheriff’s department, or ambulance service is responsible for your 9-1-1 call and to have their 10-digit phone number available to provide to the emergency calltaker. If your VoIP 9-1-1 call is not routed to the correct 9-1-1 call center, you should tell the emergency calltaker the city, county, and state where you need help. The calltaker can then attempt to transfer your call to the correct call center.
• Check with your VoIP provider to determine if your burglar alarms, fax machines, satellite television, etc., will work with your VoIP service.
• 9-1-1 industry leaders recommend that you keep your traditional landline phone in addition to your VoIP phone service in order to successfully access 9-1-1 service and to have telephone service during a power outage. Some VoIP service providers offer their customers a battery backup for their VoIP service for a minimal fee. This battery will enable the customer to use their VoIP connection during a power outage.