Parents blame Vonage over girl’s death

911 failure

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in VoIP, 10th May 2005 09:24 GMT

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Voice over Internet Protocol provider Vonage is under fire in the US for failing to connect an emergency 911 call.

VoIP firms have to warn new customers that the service does not link properly to emergency services. 911 calls from landlines in the US give the location of the phone to emergency services.

A Florida couple are blaming Vonage for the death of their 3-month old daughter. Cheryl Waller called 911 when her daughter Julia stopped breathing. But she got a recorded message telling her the sheriff’s office was closed. She ran to a neighbour’s house to make the call but the delay proved fatal for her daughter.

Vonage is facing similar claims in Texas after a teenager was unable to contact police after her parents were shot during a robbery.

The problem is being addressed - Vonage announced a deal with Verizon last week that it will provide full 911 services for all subscribers. The roll-out begins in July and should cover all states by year end.®