Thursday, May 31, 2007

Michigan VOIP E911 calls to cost more

Michigan residents for long have enjoyed low cost E911 services but since many consumers are moving to VOIP solution providers, which cost less to dial E911 service, the state is loosing money to fund E911 services.

Finally as many thought it would some day, Michigan Senate last week approved a bill that allows state to charge cell phone and Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP users fees that land-line users pay now for emergency 911 service. This mean no more advantage for michigan VOIP users. Does that really matter to michigan voip users?

Currently, a michigan landline phone user pas $4 a month surcharge only for land lines. Cell phone users pay a far smaller 29 cent a month surcharge to the state and michigan VOIP users even less. The honeymoon is finally over for michigan voip users.

I covered this post to point to the fact that VOIP companies are now being treated as a part of the main telecommunication business and the distinction will not be seen in future. However this will help streamline the telecom market, the advantage of VOIP companies might erode in the coming years.

E911 is still a milestone for many VOIP companies. Hopefully they get there before it's too late.

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