Television station WESH in Florida is reporting that a mother is blaming Vonage for the death of her 3 1/2-month-old daughter in March. Cheryl Waller says that her daughter Julia stopped breathing and that she was not able to reach emergency services when she dialed 911 through Vonage.
On the Web site Waller has set up calling for better regulation of VoIP providers, she relates her experience with Vonage and what happened on March 24, 2005, when she tried to reach emergency services:
"I successfully set 911 services up through Vonage ... found my three-month-old daughter not breathing. I dialed 911 several times and reached a recording that stated “hang up and dial 911” every time I dialed. I was unable to reach emergency services of any kind. I was forced to cease CPR long enough to locate a neighbor to dial 911 from a different phone. By the time emergency personnel arrived on the scene, they were unable to help my daughter and she was pronounced dead at 6:51 pm."
On the Web site, Waller calls for federal legislation she calls "Julia's Act," which would:
"... require all Internet based VoIP providers (and other Exempt Telecommunications Companies) to voluntarily comply with the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (911 Act) or cease all reference to 911 and E911 services in advertising, marketing and promotion."
AB -- 5/10/05
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