VoIP 911 Service Terms and Conditions
911 emergency service over a VoIP phone (Broadband Internet) has certain limitations compared to Enhanced 911 services available on traditional phones. It is important that you understand and agree to the conditions and limitations regarding 911 service outlined in this service agreement update.
911 SERVICE
Telephonic’s 911 service is available upon Service activation. Any applicable 911 fees are charged as of the service activation date. The 911 service provided by Telephonic differs in a number of important ways from traditional 911 or E911 dialing available with most traditional telephone services – and has specific limitations relative to Enhanced 911 (E911).
E911 vs. Basic 911 Service
When placing a call to emergency services with E911 or Enhanced 911, the customer’s telephone number and location are automatically transmitted to the operator during the call.
With Basic 911 (B911) the customer’s telephone number and location are not automatically transmitted to the operator. The operator at the answering location verbally obtains the pertinent information that identifies the caller’s need and physical location. The operator then determines the appropriate agency and transfers the caller.
Telephonic provides a basic 911 type service.
911 Service Description
When the customer dials 911, the customer’s call is routed from the Telephonic network to our emergency services operator. The customer will need to confirm with the operator that they are still located at the address the customer has registered with Telephonic. If the customer calls from a location other than the address registered with Telephonic, the customer will need to provide our operator with a current address or location. The operator will then determine the appropriate emergency agency and transfer the customer’s call accordingly. There may be an additional delay to transfer the customer’s emergency service call to areas not served by traditional 911.
When the customer dials 911, they are not to hang up unless told to do so by our operator or the emergency service attendant. If the call is disconnected prematurely the customer will need to call back to re-establish a connection with the emergency services. The customer must provide Telephonic with the service address for each activated and/or ported DID and/or charge number as applicable and ensure each location information is kept current at all times. Only DIDs and/or charge numbers that are provisioned with Telephonic and have applicable fees paid may be used as the Calling Party ID for 911 calls. The use of any other DID or charge number is a license violation and a public safety hazard. In the event the customer is unable to speak during a 911 call our operator will automatically dispatch emergency services to the address registered on file. If the customer dials 911 when they are outside of Canada (or the United States if applicable), our emergency services operator will advise them to hang up and find a local phone line and dial the appropriate emergency services (it may not be 911).
Power or Broadband Outage
A power failure or disruption may require the end user to reset or reconfigure equipment prior to using the service. Power disruptions or failures, ISP (Internet Service provider) outages, or partial outages or service suspension/disconnection, are likely to prevent dialing to emergency service numbers including 911. In the events listed above, the end user may need to access a traditional phone or cellular phone to make an emergency call. The customer acknowledges and understands that in the event of an outage, malfunction or any other unavailability of their Internet connection or related equipment, including without limitations, improper modification or any tampering with their computer or related software or hardware, the service may not function; the customer will continue to be billed for the service until the customer or Telephonic terminate the service in accordance with this Agreement.
WARNING: Power disruptions or failures, Internet Service Provider (ISP) outages or unavailability and tampering with the equipment will likely prevent dialing to emergency service numbers including 911.
Informing Others of the 911 Service Limitations
Customer should inform any persons who may be present at the physical location where the Customer utilizes the Service of the limitations of Telephonic's 911 service as compared with traditional 911 service, as set out above. If Customer is not confortable with the limitations of Telephonic's 911 service, Customer should have alternate means of accessing traditional 911 services.
Limitation of liability and indemnification pertaining to the 911 service
Neither Telephonic nor its affiliates, nor its officers, directors or employees may be held liable for (i) any claim, damage, or loss (including but not limited to profit loss), or (ii) any damage as a result of service outage, data loss. The Customer hereby waives any and all such claims or causes of action, arising from or relating to any service outage and/or inability to dial 911 from his Customer phone line or to access emergency service personnel unless it is proven that the act or omission proximately causing the claim, damage, or loss constitutes gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct on the part of Telephonic. Subject to the provisions of this agreement, Telephonic does not provide any other warranties of any kind either express or implied, including without limitation the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
The Customer agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Telephonic, its affiliates, its officers, directors, employees, agents, legal representatives and any other service provider that offers services to the Customer or Telephonic in relation with the present agreement or the service provided, from any and all claims, losses, damages, fines, penalties, costs, expenses, legal fees, etc., by, or on behalf of, the Customer, any third party or user of the Customers’ service relating to the absence, failure or outage of the service, including 911 dialling and/or inability of the Customer or any third party or user of their service to be able to dial 911 or to have access to emergency service personnel, as well as any misroutes of 911 calls.
911 VoIP Service – User Tips
- In an emergency, dial 911 to reach an emergency centre operator.
- Be prepared to provide your physical location, call-back number, and nature of the emergency.
- Do not hang up unless instructed by the call centre operator.
- If you get disconnected, please redial 911. The operator, if they have your number, will also attempt to call you back.
- Ensure that your VoIP service and Internet service is configured and initialized correctly.
- Inform all other users and potential users of the limitations of VoIP 911 service and about these user tips.
- Display the VoIP 911 warning sticker on the phone set or in a location that is clearly visible to all users and potential users.
Alternate 911 Arrangements
If you do not understand and agree with the limitations of the VoIP 911 service, you should consider alternate means of accessing traditional 911 or E911 services.