News
Internet phone co. to provide full 911 emergency service
By Attorney General's office
Mar 26, 2008 - 4:11:06 PM

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced that Vonage
Holdings Corporation has agreed to assure its Internet telephone subscribers have full and fast 911 emergency access and to pay the state $70,000.

The agreement settles a lawsuit that Blumenthal filed in May 2005 on behalf of the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). The suit alleged that Vonage failed to fully inform users of its Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service that their 911 calls could be delayed or not go through. Vonage has already upgraded its system to assure its VoIP customers have the same ease of access to 911 as traditional phone subscribers.

Blumenthal said, “I’m pleased that Vonage has done the right thing, agreeing to assure full and fast access to lifesaving 911 service. Consumers facing an emergency -- a sick or injured child, a fire or an intruder -- expect and deserve immediate connection when they dial 911. This agreement assures that all phone subscribers -- hard line and VoIP -- get an instant answer when they call for help.

“Telecommunication innovation should enhance not sacrifice security. Consumers need not surrender safety for a new service,” Blumenthal added.

DCP Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr. said, “Vonage’s inadequate disclosure about its 911 capabilities poorly served its customers, whose very lives could depend on prompt connection to emergency services. In designing and promoting goods and services, companies should consider the impact of their decisions on the health and safety of their customers.”

The General Fund will receive $40,000 of the $70,000 paid by Vonage to the state. The Attorney General’s Office and DCP will evenly split the remaining $30,000, which will be deposited in each agency’s consumer fund.

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