Verizon opens NY 911 network up to VoIP providers

With all the buzz lately about VoIP businesses like Vonage (and their customers) existing in a virtual 911-network lockout, and how they've tried to deal in spite of things, it's looking like maybe the wheels are finally starting to turn; Verizon, one of the four primary landline telephone providers in the nation (along with SBC, BellSouth, and Qwest) took it upon themselves to open up their New York City 911 network to VoIP services starting this summer. Vonage was already able to get Qwest to give up 911 access, and they've apparently also been in high-level discussions with SBC about getting their 911 networks opened up, too, so even though you wouldn't think this kind of thing would be such a tough nut to crack (the phone companies want us to be able to make emergency calls no matter what, right?), we're definitely hoping this is the straw that breaks the camel's back.