I’ve long argued that any company providing telecom services -- whether infrastructure-based or VoIP-only -- should assume all the associated responsibilities of a telecom provider, including providing E911 services.

That perspective didn’t win me a lot of friends. Plenty of folks felt I was evidencing a dismaying lack of support for emerging disruptive technologies such as VoIP, and being oh-so-last century in my outmoded insistence that 911 services still mattered.

Well, they’re half-right. I don’t buy the “you’re failing to support emerging technologies” argument. Frankly, I don’t see why anyone should feel that his or her job is to “support” particular technologies (unless, of course, the person works for a vendor). For the rest of us, let the market decide -- may the best technology win.

And if the market’s regulated, rules should be technology-agnostic. A telecom provider using TDM shouldn’t be required to provide services that a VoIP-based provider can wriggle out of. If you want to provide the services, abide by the rules -- or find another business.

Moreover, these rules exist for a reason: We need a way for individuals in trouble to call for help. And folks who are incapacitated by trauma (or too young, too old or speak a different language) should be located automatically. Amusingly, one of my sharper critics was later a first-time user of 911 -- and was amazed at how effectively it worked.

Duh. That’s the point, folks -- E911 ensures that when you need help, it can get to you. And sacrificing that decades-old capability in the name of supporting particular technologies is stupid and shortsighted.

That said, it’s worth assessing the current model for E911 services and asking: Is this really the best we can do in the 21st century?

The answer clearly is "no." Telco providers of all shapes and sizes can and should be doing a lot more when it comes to providing emergency services .

So my critics are right on one point: E911 is a very 20th century approach to a 21st century problem. Carriers are uniquely positioned to proactively advise large populations of emergencies -- yet they’re not really taking advantage of these abilities.

A few weeks back, Network World reported on a service rolling out in Japan that automatically alerts cell phone users to impending earthquakes. That’s great, but it’s just a start. Think about it: what if your cell phone could warn you about traffic accidents or the homicidal escaped prisoner loose in your neighborhood?

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