An amendment has passed a House committee that would require voice over Internet (VoIP) providers to notify new customers with an alarm system of steps they need to take to ensure continued service. The “Alarm VoIP Consumer Notification Amendment,” sponsored by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), was approved unanimously by the House Energy and Commerce Committee as part of a broader telecommunications bill and will go before the full House within the next week.
The amendment, approved April 26, would require VoIP providers the notify customers before installation of VoIP phone service and/or number activation that if they have an alarm system they should:
- Arrange with their emergency response provider to test their system
- Notify their emergency response provider after VoIP service is installed
- Have a battery backup for the alarm system
