May 24th, 2005
Third party E911 solution providers are using the media to deliver RSVPs to prospects
In light of the technical compliance complications underscored by last week’s FCC decision requiring E911 VoIP within 120 days, an interesting thing has been happening around here.
My Inbox and browser cache are under persistent bombardment by press releases sent from third-party VoIP E911 solution enablers. The latest release, from Broadwing Communications, says the firm "supports (the) FCC’s E911 ruling."
Well duh, what did you expect? That they oppose it?
You should understand such press releases as what they are: part of an all-out marketing effort on the part of third-party E911 enablers to use the media in order to get the message out that:
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They sympathize with you, and know what you are up against.
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They understand the regulatory urgencies involved.
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They have the necessary expertise to help you - the VoIP provider - the incumbent carrier- the E911 exec - fix it. Often this message is delivered via case histories referenced in these press releases, and linked to on the E911 solutions vendor Web site.
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They are prepared to help you fix it.
None of this is misleading. We in the media have been used before. I guess some of us view our role as mediating what’s in these releases, and acting as "what does this mean for VoIP E911" analyzers rather than press release cut-and-pasters.
Trust me, there are too many of them out there already.
What’s your latest thoughts on all this VoIP E911 stuff? Can the third-party providers make this happen in 120 days? TalkBack and let us know what you think.
Russell Shaw is an enterprise computing journalist, analyst and author based in Portland, Oregon. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
