[VOIPSEC] VOIP for free??

[Alexander]

On Wed, Apr 13, 2005 at 11:34:34AM -0700, Bob Hunt wrote:

> phone can't complete 911 calls, what about the babysitter, the relative
> that is visiting, the repair person who's hurt them self and others who
> may need emergency service?

  What if there is no phone at all? Say, I use a computer for VoIP (headset
  and microphone), which is (normally) password-protected (really, I don't
  have phone at home, only DSL line). I'll be liable if someone like repair
  person will not be able to call 911, only because I don't have phone?
  
> I suggest that any VoIP service must handle 911 calls - after all,

  VoIP - is it about any voice-over-IP service? Anything that transmits
  voice over IP, or only with connection to something that looks-like-phone
  or uses specific protocols? Should my friend on the other side of (say)
  ICQ (peer-to-peer voice link) provide 911 routing, in case if I need it,
  and only because I use voice, instead of plain old chat?
  
  The problem that is I see is... It is impossible (nearly) to determine
  location of VoIP user (think about proxies, VPNs etc), so, VoIP providers
  forced to provide 911 service (and provide location), or their service is
  forbidden (without 911 service) or limited.
  
  Effectively, requirement to provide 911 service (and it's consequences)
  makes VoIP service not as convenient as it was designed to be (I can't move
  freely, or I've to register my location after each change, etc.).

  Therefore, my question is - what makes VoIP so special? Why we don't
  require that ISP will accept 911 calls by email or online on web pages
  (yes, there are some people who don't have any phones at home,
  intentionally, especially when mobile services are so cheap)?
  
  And, after all, until each and every IP phone (client) is
  location-stamped, 911 numbers can be easily abused, exactly like email
  and/or web services of similar kind...

Regards,
/Al