Internet telephone uses must test 911

More than two years after providers were required by the federal government to supply Enhanced 911 service to all users, some Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) customers may still be without the emergency communication capability. Lee County E911 is trying to identify these individuals before an emergency causes them to need the service.

All VoIP phone users, such as Vonage, are asked to contact Lee County's E911 office at 335-1608 to schedule a test call for their VoIP phone system. The test call will enable the user to ensure that there will be no delays when and if they ever need to call 911, and if the system is not working properly to get it working before there is a need.

There have been a number of VoIP users across the country, and in Florida, who have not been able to reach 911 operators during an emergency.

"We take pride in offering a working service to all residents and visitors of Lee County," said Matt Rechkemmer, E911 Program Manager. "We want to be sure their phone service provider is doing all that is necessary for the system to meet their needs in an emergency."