CNET PRIZEFIGHT: Internet phones vs. plain old telephone service

Regular phones vs. VoIP
Round 6: Emergency calls
The 411 on 911 support

VoIP has matured so that its call quality is mostly indistinguishable from that of POTS, but one important feature is still in its infancy: emergency calls. Most VoIP providers don't offer this safety feature yet, and when it is offered, it will operate differently than when you call 911 on a standard phone line. With a standard phone, calls to 911 are connected with your area's emergency response center, and the operator answering the call will have your address right there on the display.

With a VoIP service with 911 support, such as Vonage, calls are directed to a public safety answering point, and you'll need to provide your address. This difference might not sound like too big a deal, but families with small children (and babysitters) might feel more comfortable knowing their 911 service is as quick and efficient as possible. And with Vonage, for example, you'll also need to provide your address and enable 911 calling, as it is not turned on by default.

Winner: POTS