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1. Does it replace my current phone?

There are a number of life safety issues that consumers should give serious consideration before purchasing this system.

2. What happens when my power goes out?

In the event of a power failure, these systems will not function. Your ability to make and receive calls, including calls to 911, is inaccessible until your power is restored.

Conventional wired telephones will normally continue to provide the services you are used to when you need them most and continue to function during a power failure. This lack of service is a reality for VoIP and may worsen if your IP service is interrupted for any reason.

Conventional telephone providers are required to provide you with access to 911 even when you encounter problems with your account or in the event that your account is suspended or cancelled for any reason. Digital telephone providers are not subject to the same laws and regulations, so most likely if your account is cancelled your ability to dial 911 is cancelled at the same time.

3. Will my alarm work with VOIP?

If you have a burglar or fire alarm system that dials a monitoring station, you may find that the digital telephone service is not compatible with your alarm system. In these circumstances, your alarm, when activated, may not reach the monitoring station or your emergency services provider.

4. Will I be able to call 911?

The ability to access emergency services by dialing 911 is a vital component of public safety and emergency preparedness. It is imperative that consumers of telephone service be able to reach emergency services regardless of the technology used to place a 911 call.

To ensure that a consumer's choice of VoIP for telephone service does not adversely affect that consumer's ability to access emergency services, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken steps to require that providers of "interconnected" VoIP services (VoIP services that use the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), including wireless networks, to originate and terminate calls) meet Enhanced 911 (E911) obligations. E911 systems automatically provide a 911 caller's call back number and, in most cases, location information to emergency personnel.

5. What is interconnected VoIP service?

Interconnected VoIP service allows you to make and receive calls to and from traditional phone numbers using an Internet connection, possibly a high-speed (broadband) Internet connection, such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable modem, or wireless broadband. It can be used in place of traditional phone service. Typically, interconnected VoIP technology works by either placing an adapter between a traditional phone and Internet connection, or by using a special VoIP phone that connects directly to your computer or Internet connection.

While you may choose to use interconnected VoIP service from a single location, like a residence, some interconnected VoIP services can be used wherever you travel, as long as a broadband Internet connection is available. Companies offering interconnected VoIP service call it by a number of different brand names. To find out more about VoIP service, see the FCC's consumer guide.