Australian VoIP providers urged to provide emergency phone access

The Australian government’s telecommunications watchdog has contacted more than forty VoIP providers urging them to find technical solutions to allow users access to the country’s emergency 000 number.

Up to now, VoIP providers in Australia have not been able to find solutions for offering the vital service to their customers.

There are currently three emergency numbers available in Australia.

Triple Zero can be dialled from any fixed or mobile phone and some VoIP services; 112, which is available from all GSM mobile phones; and 106, which connects to the text-based relay service for people who have a hearing or speech impairment.

When a caller phones an emergency call number, the request is handled initially by Emergency Call Persons, who determine from the caller which emergency service is required and establish the location of the caller.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts are anxious that all users have access to an emergency call number.

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