Some service providers do not offer 911 calling, some do, and some will require the customer to register for 911 services. For VoIP providers that do not offer any 911 services, it would be a wise choice to keep a landline phone connected to your house.

Hopefully, if the FCC and VoIP service providers do not come to a permanent solution, they could readdress the issue of PSTN and 911. As it is now, you cannot purchase a landline phone for the sole purpose of having access to 911. You must have basic telephone services as well. Possibly, they could create special 911 lines dedicated solely to the enabling of all residences having 911. Until then, you do have a few options.

If your service provider does have 911, if you have an emergency, the first thing that you will need to do, is speak clearly, and give the operator your location, address, and name. The Public Safety Answering Point Dispatcher will not have any of your information in front of her. You can see, that this could be a disastrous problem if you were out somewhere without knowing your location. Another solution is to keep your cell phone on you for the sole purpose of utilizing 911.

Your VoIP service provider may require you to register your information with 911. Always double check with your service provider to see if your 911 services require activation. Unfortunately, there have been cases of people not activating their 911, and in a time of crisis, when they tried to call, they were met with a recorded greeting.

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