Important 911 Information

Updated: July 26, 2024

Important Notice: Differences in 9-1-1 Service with VoIP Phones

We want to ensure you are aware of significant differences between 9-1-1 services on VoIP phones and traditional telephone services. Here’s what you need to know:

Differences Between Traditional 9-1-1 Service and VoIP Phone E9-1-1

• Traditional Phone Services: Your 9-1-1 call is sent directly to the nearest emergency response center.
• VoIP Phone Service: Your 9-1-1 call is forwarded to a third-party service provider who will route your call to the emergency response center either automatically or manually.

Provide Your Location Immediately

Since VoIP phones can be moved between locations and emergency operators might not have your name, location, or contact information, it’s crucial to inform the operator of your location and contact details immediately when calling 9-1-1. This helps prevent emergency services from being dispatched to the wrong location.

Be Prepared for Service Interruptions

VoIP phone service relies on your subscription, Internet connectivity, and power. In case of power, network, or Internet outages (including congestion), or if your service is disconnected due to non-payment, your 9-1-1 service may fail, be disrupted, or delayed. We recommend keeping an alternative phone (such as a cellular phone) available to ensure reliable access to emergency services during interruptions.

Do Not Disconnect

Stay on the line until the emergency dispatcher tells you to disconnect. If you get disconnected accidentally, call back immediately.

Keep Your Service Address Updated

Practice by Numbers will attempt to provide your service address to the emergency operator. Ensure your information on file is always accurate and updated. If you cannot speak during a 9-1-1 call, the operator may assume you are at the last registered address. Update your E9-1-1 address at any time in the Practice by Numbers Admin Portal.

Inform Other Users

Notify staff and other potential users of your VoIP phone service about the nature and limitations of 9-1-1 emergency calls. To assist with this, Practice by Numbers provides stickers for placement on each telephone set in a visible location.

VoIP Terms of Service

For a complete description of our VoIP service and E9-1-1 limitations, please see Practice by Numbers’ VoIP terms of service at https://www.practicenumbers.com/legal/voip/