911 Access

[Loui Chang]

On Thu 16 Oct 2014 10:03 -0400, John Hopkinson wrote:
> I normally do not contribute to these threads, as I do not consider
> myself technically competant enough.  However there was a statement made
> that I simply could not let slip by, the statement being:
> "I was Grinning ear to ear. 911 works with it too."
> 
> While it may appear that this is correct, you are NOT getting full 911
> service unless you are using a "land line" and service provided by Bell,
> not necessarily rented from Bell.
> 
> Cell phones, IP telephony, etc., none of these systems can give you the
> same guaranteed service that you get via a Land Line, and these other
> services have already cost lives.
> 
> The reason is relatively simple and is due to power.  Bell is required
> to provide generators at its COs.  Cell towers are not so required (and
> it would be impossible to do given their order of magnitude greater
> numbers), nor are internet servers (similar reasons).  Thus in a power
> outage situation Cell and IP telephony is much less likely to work.  If
> switching to these other services, it is sensible to keep a basic land
> line service into your home or office.
> 
> Some of the non-land line services providers hake statements about 911
> services, but if you read the contract carefully you will find that the
> guarantees of service are not the same as with Land Line, and it is
> against Canadian Law for them to guarantee full service.
> Given the nature of this discussion I felt all participants should be
> aware of the facts.

Also make sure to have a corded phone handy. Land line with a cordless
phone won't do you much good.