Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can call 911 on your cell phone. However, be prepared to give the 911 call taker information about your location, because it is not the same as calling 911 on your home or business phone. It is free to call 911 on your cell phone.

Assume the 911 call taker does not know your location. Even if your cell phone is able to provide location information, you will need to provide the 911 call taker with additional location information. Remember, the approximate location the 911 center receives could be as large as 3 football fields or more. Be prepared to give specific directions to your location if possible.

Look for landmarks, large buildings, street signs or anything nearby that may contain address information. Think back to the main street or highway you were near when your emergency occurred. If others are around, ask them where you are. Do not depend on your cell phone to tell 911 where you are!

Maybe or maybe not, depending upon your cell phone and the technology available within the 911 center your 911 call connects with. The safest way to approach the problem is to assume that the 911 call taker will not know your phone number and be prepared to provide them with that information.

All wireless 911 calls placed in Massachusetts are routed to call takers at regional communications centers or the Massachusetts State Police. If you dial 911 from a cellular phone while in Tewksbury, the call will be routed to the Essex County Regional Emergency Communications Center. Depending on the location and nature of the call, the caller will be transferred to the local 911 center for further assistance.

Always try to call 911 back. Don't wait for the 911 call taker to try to contact you. They may not have received your cell phone number in the initial 911 call and may need additional information.

It is usually best to pull over when calling 911, as there is less chance of the cell phone signal being dropped if in a stationary location. Additionally, any emergency instructions that need to be carried out can best be done while stopped. Finally, if help needs to reach you it is best to be in one place so help can get to you, instead of trying to meet them somewhere. If you cannot safely pull over to speak to 911 then stay calm, pay attention to the roadway with surrounding vehicles, and follow the 911 call taker's instructions.

No, please do not program 911 or use the auto 911 feature. There are numerous accidental calls to 911 from cell phones that have this feature. The callers often don't realize that their phone has called 911. Help reduce accidental calls to 911 by only calling when you have an emergency.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an emerging technology that allows voice quality calls to be made over Internet connections. To access a VoIP service, the customer needs the provided adapter which is placed in between the computer and high-speed internet and a standard household telephone.

Unlike the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), VoIP uses advanced technology to convert your voice into data that allows you to place and receive calls over a high-speed broadband internet connection. Also VoIP is not confined to your home - VoIP service can be accessed from anywhere there is a high-speed broadband internet connection.

There are a number features that make VoIP appealing to consumers. The following are a few of those features:

• There is cost savings associated with making long distance calls over the Internet rather than the (PSTN). Since VoIP doesn't use a traditional telephone service there are no long distance charges to incur.
• VoIP is portable - a VoIP subscriber can take the VoIP adapter with them anywhere they go as long as there is a high speed broadband connection. This portability allows the subscriber to keep their local number when they are away from their home.
• Some VoIP providers allow customers to have Vanity Numbers, which lets you choose a specific sequence of digits that often spells a word or company name using the letters on your phone keypad.

Yes, with an adapter you can use it anywhere in the world where you have a high-speed broadband internet connection. You can bring your VoIP adapter anywhere and you won't pay long distance rates when calling back home. For example if a VoIP subscriber travels from their home in Boston to California they can call home to Boston and receive calls from Boston with no long distance charges even though they are physically in California.

Yes, your service will work even if you are simultaneously accessing the Internet, sending files or instant messaging over the same broadband connection with your computer.

It depends on your VoIP service provider. VoIP is regulated at the federal level, therefore VoIP service providers (VSPs) are not subject to the Commonwealth's E 911 requirement. In June of 2005 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an Order, (FCC 05-116) mandating that all VSPs deliver E 911 services no later than November 28, 2005.

The State 911 Department has worked with our E 911 service provider and VSPs serving Massachusetts to integrate the technology into our E 911 system. Before a VSP can be approved to provide VoIP service in Massachusetts they must go through a testing process with the State 911 Department to ensure the calls are delivered with complete and accurate information. For a list of VSPs currently approved to provide E 911 service in Massachusetts please visit the State 911 Department page.

A VoIP emergency service differs in a number of important ways from traditional emergency response services:

• A public safety answering point (PSAP) may get an emergency call on a regular ten digit line without location information or call back number.
• An accurate, up to date Service Address is required to route your calls to the closest PSAP in the event that you dial 911.
• If you relocate your VoIP Service phone on a temporary basis, such as taking your equipment with you when you go to a vacation home, you must use a different telephone to dial 911 from your new location.
• VoIP will not work during power outages, network outages network congestion. The use of data services at the same time as VoIP might also affect sound quality.

Here are some important tips when considering going to a VoIP phone service:

• Confirm with the VSP that they provide E 911 services and are in compliance with FCC Order 05-116.
• Provide your accurate physical address to your VSP to ensure that emergency services can be quickly sent to your location.
• Be familiar with your VSPs procedures for updating your address, and promptly update address information in the event of a change.
• Have a clear understanding of any limitations of your 911 service.
• Inform children, babysitters, and visitors about your VoIP service and its 911 limitations, if any.
• If the power is out or your broadband connection is down, be aware that your VoIP service may also be out. Consider installing a backup power supply, maintaining a traditional phone line and analog phone, or having a cellular phone as a backup.
• If you have questions about whether the phone service you are receiving is a VoIP service, contact your service provider for further information.