A Model for Emergency Service of VoIP Through Certification and Labeling

Abstract:     
Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP") promises to upend a centuryold model of voice telephony by creating a more dynamic marketplace and by changing the point of control from the central office switch to the end user's device. The transformation to VoIP is only in its very early stages, and it will ultimately impact all sectors of the telecommunications services industry, including traditional incumbent local exchange carriers, cable providers, wireless service providers, and emergency service providers. This Article will describe the technical issues surrounding emergency service in VoIP, examine the status of proposed technical strategies, and identify candidate criteria to be used in certification. Furthermore, this Article will examine the theories behind and examples of successful certification within self-regulatory regimes, including (1) the use of certification in product safety; (2) the use of certification in particular by Underwriters Laboratories acting as certifying institutions; (3) ISO 9000 quality system certification; (4) interoperability certification within the telecommunications industry through Cable Television Laboratories and Telcordia; (5) the Wi-Fi Alliance as a consumer-oriented certification consortium; and (6) general experience with self-regulation in environmental policy. In the end, this Article will synthesize these insights in order to propose specific recommendations on institutional design, technical criteria, and the certification process.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 54

Keywords: VoIP, E911, standard-setting, ISO 9000, emergency services

JEL Classification: G18, G38, K23, L43, L50, L96, K13

Accepted Paper Series