Your Internet Phone Provider 

New federal legislation under review would make it much easier for VoIP providers to tie directly into the e911 system, making 911 protection for voip users more uniform and bullet-proof. It would also extend liability protections currently enjoyed by land line and cel providers, to voip providers.

The "911 Modernization and Public Safety Act"  bill is making progress towards becoming signed into law, having been approved on October 10th, 2007. It is now headed to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, said in a statement:  “The E911 legislation is designed to ensure that a consumer calling 911 in an emergency from an Internet phone … can do so with a degree of confidence matching that of traditional phone service and wireless service."

The bill also calls for a revamp of the current 911 system to achieve "ip interoperability" which would efficiently handle voice, video, and data traffic.

Okay, call me paranoid, however, this story doesn't sit well with me. Apparently, a U.S. based firm called Pudding Media is running contextual ads based on what voip subscribers are ...talking about.

Supposedly, ads are served based on "keywords" that are bid on by advertisers, much like online PPC advertising.  As much as they may claim the technology only serves ads based on keywords, it sounds to me like it is treading dangerously close to serious privacy implications. Could give the term "spyware" a whole new meaning...(like "WoIP - Wiretap over Internet Protocol") You can read more about it here: http://www.telappliant.com/news/18298687/VoIP+gets+voice-activated+ads/0/

Quick announcement: 5PCom now offers Live Agent tech support!

Just to be clear, the technical term we are calling it is "Remote Assistance", and here is how it works. You have a problem or question, and you call the toll free number (prominantly listed on all pages of the site, but for reference, it is 1.888.652.8325 for New Service, or 1.800.646.0804 for Tech Support.)

For all of you softphone users and fans out there currently using X-LIte, there has been an "upgrade". Xten / Global IP Tel has launched it's latest softphone application, Ninja,  replacing X-Lite.