Solution for VoIP 911 concerns?

One of the major concerns with Voice over IP (VoIP) technology with potential customers and regulators is a shortcoming in how the technology deals with emergency calls. Because the technology is not specifically tied to a single location, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location from where the call originates and emergency 911 calls may not be routed to the correct call center. This is one of the items the FCC is considering while mulling potential regulation for the emerging VoIP industry. Some companies are working on advanced methods of providing location information based on IP addresses, but in the mean time, VoIP, Inc. believes they have a solution that could provide improved emergency services until more advanced methods are developed.

VoIP, Inc.'s solution is to route emergency calls over traditional copper landlines. The company announced they have applied for a patent for a "Method and System for Back-up of Voice Over IP Emergency Calls" that would recognize emergency number dialing patterns and route the calls through legacy telephone systems. This method takes advantage of regulations placed on traditional copper landlines that require dial-tones on unused phone lines for emergency use and functionality in event of a power failure. Since power failures could render VoIP technology useless, emergency calls would be routed directly to a functioning legacy line.