Eight Different Government Related Implementations of Voice Over IP Technology

In a recent report released by the Internet Voiceway to stay connected to remote locations and to
Campaign, the benefits of VoIP as pertains toreassign phones at a moment's notice - a terrific
homeland security and other government and citizenadvantage in an emergency. Being able to take
safety concerns were outlined in detail.equipment to locations as needed eliminated the need
VoIP is now becoming the fallback position for timesfor costly voice and data networks to be assembled
when disaster strikes and regular telephony optionsat rarely used buildings.
are unavailable. With wireless broadband innovation- 5. The government agencies in Herndon VA are
moving to the foreground of unified communications,utilizing VoIP technology to instantly broadcast the face
mobile technology will be the safety net in case ofof an abducted or missing child to phones, creating a
emergency in many situations.rapid response.
- 1. After 9/11, the Commerce Department switched- 6. At sea, the Navy has equipped each of its 12 of its
their main communications system to VoIP to allowactive aircraft carriers with VoIP, and the US Naval
warnings to be transmitted by specific departments -Network Operations Center is completely supported
an advanced targeting method that allows a type ofby VoIP.
reverse 9-1-1 access where even deaf users could be- 7. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has
alerted by flashing light and text messaging.budgeted $11 million for a Next Generation 9-1-1 Initiative
- 2. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the Department ofproject, and plans to implement VoIP to deploy an
Defense is utilizing VoIP on over 8,000 phones. TheIP-based 9-1-1 emergency network across the nation.
DISA (Defense Information Systems Agency) can- 8. The 114 state agencies in Arizona are complying
keep sensitive communications in their own networkswith a law requiring a shift from traditional telephony
(over 120 worldwide) and keep voice traffic under theirsystems to a VoIP network to improve 9-1-1 services,
control at all times in the efforts against terrorism. Theincrease cost efficiency and provide better security
DOD is currently anticipating a complete transition tofor sensitive information. Emergency calls made from
VoIP.agency buildings now alert rescue personnel to the
- 3. After the fall of Saddam's empire, the US Militaryfloor, room number and extension, and notify capitol
also rolled out a satellite based VoIP network for thesecurity.
Iraqi police and security personnel. This provided a fullyAll of these implementations make the world a safer
functioning command network with call encryptionplace, for children, soldiers and ordinary citizens in the
enabled for secure communications.US and overseas. VoIP is expected to increase in
- 4. The Environmental Protection Agency requireddemand as more and more official agencies turn
voice and data access at a Disaster Recoverytowards unified communications to cut costs and
Center. They chose VoIP as the most cost effectiveincrease efficiency.