FCC Asks: Too Much 911 Paperwork for VoIP Folks?
Published Date: 9/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules for companies and groups that handle emergency 911 info, especially for internet phone services. They want to make sure the forms are useful, clear, and not too much work—especially for small businesses. If you have thoughts, speak up by November 23, 2026, so the FCC can keep things smooth and efficient without costing extra time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork Burden and Cost Estimate
The FCC reports this information collection covers 29 respondents and 8,445,716 responses, with an estimated 0.09 hours (five minutes) per response, a total annual burden of 778,712 hours, and total annual cost of $123,720,000. The FCC is seeking comment on the accuracy of these burden and cost estimates as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act review.
VoIP Location Data for 9-1-1
If you provide or subscribe to interconnected VoIP service, providers must collect a customer's location information to route 9-1-1 calls and provide location data to emergency answering points. The rule requires placing that location information into, or making it available through, specialized databases maintained by local exchange carriers.
Subscriber Notices, Acknowledgement, Stickers
Providers of interconnected VoIP must tell every new and existing subscriber, in plain language, when or how 9-1-1 service may be limited, obtain an affirmative acknowledgement from each subscriber, keep a record of that acknowledgement, and distribute warning stickers or labels to place by customer premises equipment. These are ongoing customer-notification and recordkeeping requirements providers must follow.
Dispatchable Location Requirement Flexibility
Under Section 506 of RAY BAUM'S Act and the FCC's August 1, 2019 Report and Order, the FCC requires automated dispatchable location where technically feasible and allows fallbacks (registered location, alternative info, or a national emergency call center) when it's not feasible, including for non-fixed environments. The 2019 Order amended Registered Location wording to facilitate automated dispatchable location in fixed and non-fixed settings.
Owners/Controllers Must Share 9-1-1 Capabilities
Under the NET 911 Act and the FCC's October 21, 2008 implementing order, an owner or controller of a capability that can be used for 9-1-1/E911 must make that capability available to a requesting interconnected VoIP provider if the owner/controller offers it to any CMRS provider or if it is necessary for the VoIP provider to comply with FCC 9-1-1 rules. This supports interoperability between capability owners and VoIP providers.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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