The stock of Level 3 Communications and Intrado shot up Thursday after a federal agency ruled that Internet phone providers must provide reliable 911 services within 120 days.
The two companies have a head start on the thorny emergency 911 issue for Voice over Internet Protocol phones.
Broomfield-based Level 3 operates a global fiber-optic network and resells VoIP service to companies such as America Online and Adelphia.
Level 3’s connections with 911 call centers means it can provide 911 VoIP services to two-thirds of U.S. households.
Longmont-based Intrado provides the databases and software behind 911 services offered by wireline companies such as Qwest, cellphone companies such as Verizon, and a growing number of VoIP providers including Vonage.
After the ruling by the Federal Communications Commission, Level 3’s share price jumped 18 percent to close at $2.05, while Intrado’s shares climbed 13 percent to close at $12.58.
VoIP phones present huge 911 challenges. They plug into laptops and can be used wherever there is Internet. VoIP users often request area codes in different parts of the country or world.
“It gets to be a pretty complicated data management issue,” said Marcus Andronici, Intrado’s VoIP product manager.
The FCC ruling also affects Denver-based Qwest, which launched VoIP services for businesses last year and for consumers earlier this month.
“We intend to meet or beat the time set forth in the FCC order,” said Mary LaFave, Qwest’s director of public policy.
Staff writer Ross Wehner can be reached at 303-820-1503 or rwehner@denverpost.com.
