Wiretapping the Wireless?

VoIP offers many benefits, features, and cost savings that are not offered with standard telephone service. For instance, Voice Mail, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Three Way Calling, and Call Transfer, are often included in your basic VoIP package at no additional cost. Users also appreciate the flexibility and freedom offered with using your Internet connection to not only handle your telephone needs, but your E-mail needs, Video and Web cam needs and Web application needs as well.

VoIP can offer this integration and it has proved extremely beneficial to small business owners. All of these benefits have contributed to the rise and popularity of VoIP services.

However, this technology is not without its flaws. For instance, there is a big problem with the integration of VoIP technology and the Emergency 911 system. The Emergency system has been developing for many years, based upon the PSTN networks. Everyone knows that in case of an emergency, they can call 911 and help will be on the way. Yet, not was the case with many of VoIP’S early customers. Unfortunately, due to the fact that VoIP is wireless, 911 had no way of tracing VoIP calls. The US government’s response to the issue seems short of shutting down VoIP in favor of landlines. However, the FCC ruled that customers will be required to sign a statement that they acknowledge that their 911 services may be impaired due to VoIP. VoIP providers have responded by incorporating Enhanced 911 services and for allowing users to call and register their personal information with 911. Yet the fact remains, that a 911 operator cannot trace the VoIP call back to the location of the user.

Time will tell where the Emergency debate will end up. But for now, it is recommended that VoIP users maintain a landline phone or cell phone solely for the ability to have direct access to 911 if needed.

Now, 911 isn’t the only problem that Uncle Sam has with VoIP. He is also upset that he can’t “tap in” and listen in on potentially dangerous calls. How do you wiretap the wireless? Well, VoIP is the same technology, Packet Switching, which is used by E-mails, gamers who are communicating, Instant Messaging services and Video Email programs. To tap the phone line seems a little contradictory, since there isn’t a phone line, but we all understand that Uncle Sam must do what he must do.

Where these rulings will take the nature of VoIP is anyone’s guess and only the future will tell for sure. Yet we can rest assured that while VoIP continues to gather strength and become a formidable force in the telecommunications arena, that products will change, services will be enhanced, and many of the issues will be addressed and resolved.

Until then, remember to work with your service provider, register with 911, enjoy your VoIP service, and don’t take advantage of your VoIP provider by conducting illicit activities because you think they can not be traced.

Rondee, the first company to combine free conference calling with response management and on-line scheduling, today made public the launch of a new set of features serving the needs of power conferencers. The features include Recurring Rondee set-up capability, agenda archiving and automated reminders. (PRWeb Jan 6, 2009)

Callfinity has been selected to provide a call center suite for the 2010 Dicennial United States Census. Callfinity will host its ContextIP product line to queue telephone calls and appropriately distribute those calls to available Census contact center staff. (PRWeb Jan 6, 2009)

ATP®, a leading manufacturer of high performance flash and DRAM memory, announces its embedded USB flash modules, a line up of reliable, high performance solid state storage for embedded, networking, server platforms, and other industrial applications. Armed with the latest in wear leveling and onboard ECC technology, the ATP USB flash modules are immediately available in densities ranging from 512MB to 8GB, and will be showcased along with other ATP memory solutions at the 2009 International CES in Las Vegas on January 8-11. ATP's booth is located at Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 3 booth #31646. (PRWeb Jan 6, 2009)

In a 10 minute Video News Blog, Ed Asner, the most prominent actor/activist of his time, takes on the Los Angeles City Council for failing to stop Time Warner Cable from closing down the 25 year-old public access studios and channels system on December 31, 2008. Appearing on the Emmy Award-winning Full Disclosure Network®, hosted by Leslie Dutton, Asner is critical of the LA Council for diverting the $25 million cable Franchise Fees paid by Time Warner Cable that was intended to support public access cable television operations. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/ED_ASNER_PUBLIC_ACCESS/FREE_SPEECH_LOS_ANGELES/prweb1817844.htm

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/FutureView/InterActive-Operator/prweb1812064.htm

Vikas Kapoor, iQor's president and CEO, has joined the Rubin Museum of Art's (RMA) Board of Trustees. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Vikas_Kapoor/Rubin_Museum/prweb1729534.htm

Homepath Products, LLC introduces eXapathTM , a patent-pending revolutionary low voltage cabling pathway solution for new home construction and renovations. eXapath helps homes and homeowners keep up with the cabling technology advancements in consumer electronics. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/bluetooth/speaker/prweb1822994.htm

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/simplesignal/wesbell/prweb1823494.htm

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Latest devices to be displayed at 2009 International CES in Las Vegas (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Overall, mailbox shipments grew faster than revenues due to significant gains by manufacturers offering lower than average prices, aggressive discounting and free unified messaging mailboxes with new systems. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Inventive Media, a consulting firm serving the needs of the Wireless Internet Service Provider industry, announced today the WISP Directory website (http://www.wispdirectory.com), the most comprehensive list of WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) in the United States. Entries in the WISP Directory include zip codes serviced, customer ratings, independent reviews and WISP Technology used by each WISP. A coverage map showing the total area serviced by WISP operators will also be provided later in the first quarter of 2009. The directory currently has over 1700 verified WISP operators in the United States, and over 180 entries for WISP related businesses. (PRWeb Jan 4, 2009)

US21 Computers announced that it has been awarded a United States General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule 70, contract number GS- 35F-0146V. This contract enables US21 to be listed on an approved GSA Schedule and to sell satellite telecommunications equipment, services, and airtime directly to government agencies. (PRWeb Jan 2, 2009)

Wiretapping the Wireless?

Using your Internet High Speed connection and transmitting audio in the form of “packets” over your IP to another computer, VoIP user, or a standard telephone on the PSTN network conduct it.

VoIP can offer this integration and it has proved extremely beneficial to small business owners. All of these benefits have contributed to the rise and popularity of VoIP services.