Emergency Services

E911 Emergency Calling with VoIP

VoipPlus provides E911 service with every line. Understanding how it works ensures your safety in emergencies.

Understanding E911

How Does E911 Work with VoIP?

E911 (Enhanced 911) transmits your registered address to emergency dispatchers when you dial 911.

What is E911?

E911 sends your registered address to the local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) when you dial 911. This allows emergency responders to locate you even if you can't speak.

With traditional landlines, your address is tied to the physical phone line. With VoIP, you must register your address in our system.

Address Registration

When you sign up for VoipPlus service, we register your service address with the E911 database. This address is sent to 911 dispatchers when you call.

Important: If you move or change locations, you must update your E911 address with us immediately.

Important Information

VoIP E911 vs. Traditional 911

VoIP E911 has some differences from traditional landline 911 service.

Power & Internet Required

VoIP phones require power and internet to function. During a power outage or internet failure, your VoIP phones will not work, including for 911 calls.

Recommendation: Keep a charged cell phone available as backup for emergencies.

Registered Address Only

E911 transmits your registered address, not your physical location. If you use a softphone while traveling, 911 will still show your registered office address.

Recommendation: Use a cell phone for 911 when away from your registered location.

Address Updates Take Time

When you update your E911 address, it may take up to 48 hours for the change to propagate through the emergency services database.

Recommendation: Update your address before moving, not after.

Multi-Location Businesses

Each physical location needs its own E911 registration. A phone at your Schaumburg office should have that address registered, not your Chicago headquarters.

Recommendation: Register each location's address with its corresponding phone lines.

Your Responsibilities

What Do You Need to Do?

1

Provide Accurate Address

When setting up service, provide the exact physical address where phones will be located, including suite/floor numbers.

2

Update When Moving

Contact VoipPlus immediately if you move to a new location. Update before the move if possible.

3

Inform Employees

Make sure staff understand how VoIP 911 works and to use cell phones when away from the registered location.

Common Questions

E911 FAQ

Is E911 included with my service?

Yes. E911 is included with every VoipPlus line at no additional charge. It's a required component of our service.

How do I update my E911 address?

Contact VoipPlus support to update your E911 address. We'll update the registration and it will propagate within 48 hours.

What if I have multiple offices?

Each location should have its own E911 registration. We'll set up separate address registrations for each of your office locations.

Does E911 work with softphones?

E911 transmits your registered address regardless of where you're physically located. If using a softphone away from the office, use a cell phone for 911.

What happens during a power outage?

VoIP phones won't work without power and internet. Use a cell phone for 911 during outages. Consider a UPS for critical phones.

Can I test 911 to make sure it works?

Do not call 911 to test. Contact us if you want to verify your E911 registration is correct—we can confirm your address is properly registered.

Questions About E911?

Contact us to verify your E911 registration or update your address.