999 and faults: Difference between revisions

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<indicator name="VoIP">[[File:menu-voip.svg|link=:Category:VoIP|30px|Back up to the VoIP and SMS Category Page]]</indicator>

[[Category:VoIP]]

[[Category:Technical Documents]]

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When making use of VoIP (Voice over IP), careful consideration needs to be made as to how you would make a call to the emergency services if the VoIP service is not working for some reason or other.

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In the past, a standard landline phone could be used to make calls as it would be powered from the exchange and still work if your premises had a power cut. With VoIP this is not the case. VoIP services are also far more complication and involves various devices both at the service provider and at your premises to all be in working order. This is very different to having a simple analogue telephone plugged in to a socket in the wall.

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When making use of VoIP (Voice over IP), careful consideration needs to me made as to how you would make a call to the emergency services if the VoIP service is not working.

== What could stop VoIP from working?==

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*Fault with the ISP or the VoIP provider - Faults can happen.

=The main thing=

=The main thing:=

'''Ensure you have tested that you can make phone calls in the event of your internet connection being disconnected.''' Suggestions on how to do this are below.

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==...for a local power cut==

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In the past, a standard landline phone could be used to make calls as it would be powered from the exchange and still work if your premises had a power cut. With VoIP this is not the case.

* See our [[VoIP_Power]] Page

We'd suggest the following as methods to make emergency calls during a power cut to you premises:

# '''Use a mobile phone''' - ensure you have a mobile or two charged up and with a working service.

# '''Have a UPS''' (Uninterruptible Power supply) which can power your internet equipment - router, phone, etc so that you have backup power to devices that will enable to you make calls. '''Test that this works!'''

==...For faults with the internet connection or VoIP service==

# '''Use a mobile phone''' - ensure you have a mobile or two charged up and with a working service.

# '''Have a backup connection''' Having an ~~alternative~~ connection to the internet is important, not just for calling emergency services. A second line, tethering to a mobile, a service that uses a different medium to your main connection (eg satellite) will help keep your internet connection resilient in case of a fault.

# '''Have a backup connection''' Having more than one connection to the internet is important, not just for calling emergency services. A second line, tethering to a mobile, a service that uses a different medium to your main connection (eg satellite) will help keep your internet connection resilient in case of a fault.

==... for using 999 BSL - Emergency Video Relay Service==