How relable does the Internet need to be? (Was: Re: Converged Network Threat)

Thu Feb 26 17:16:30 UTC 2004

In article <403E2047.1080502 at cox.net>, "Laurence F. Sheldon, Jr." 
<LarrySheldon at cox.net> writes
>I think we will need also to make it illegal (to control the liability
>issues) to need emergency assistance in a place whose only link
>is via "public-IP".

This is an interesting issue, and one which is currently being debated 
in the UK (where a newly reformed regulator is taking a fresh look at 
VoIP)[1]. Most end users that I've discussed it with (geeks to a man) 
say it's not society's problem if they (the geeks) choose to limit their 
availability of emergency assistance[2], when buying a new toy like VoIP 
(and throwing away their POTS). I'm not sure that I entirely agree. Less 
well informed users probably need someone making that decision for them. 
(Just call me "Nanny".)

[1] Should VoIP include 911/999 service, and how does one resolve the 
various geographic location issues associated with this.

[2] By, for example, having no 911/999 service available *at all* from 
their chosen provider, and relying on a mobile phone or a neighbour with 
POTS.
-- 
Roland Perry