[Glossary](https://telxpress.com/glossary/) / Phones # E911 **E911** (enhanced 911) is the emergency-calling capability that sends a caller's phone number and location to dispatchers; for business phone systems, Kari's Law and RAY BAUM's Act set specific federal requirements. - Phones - Updated October 11, 2026 - Written by the Telxpress advisory team 01 In depth ## What it is, why it matters and *what to ask a vendor* Two federal rules apply to multi-line telephone systems such as a PBX, cloud phone system or UCaaS platform. Kari's Law requires that anyone can dial 911 directly, with no prefix such as dialing 9 for an outside line, and that the system notifies a central point (a front desk or security) when a 911 call is placed. RAY BAUM's Act requires a dispatchable location, meaning the street address plus information such as floor, suite or room, to be sent with the call. For a growing business the hard part is keeping locations current: a phone moved to another suite, a softphone on a laptop at home, a new branch. Interconnected VoIP providers also have their own 911 obligations, including obtaining a registered location from each customer. Getting this wrong is both a safety issue and a compliance one. Ask a provider how each phone and app reports its location, how a remote worker updates theirs, where the on-site notification goes, how the system is tested, and who is responsible for keeping the database accurate when phones move. Make the 911 test part of every installation and office move. 02 Related terms ## Terms that usually come up *alongside it* - Phones ### [Cloud phone system](https://telxpress.com/glossary/cloud-phone-system/) A cloud phone system is a business phone service hosted by a provider and delivered over the internet, so phones, apps and features are managed through a web portal rather than hardware in your office. - Phones ### [UCaaS](https://telxpress.com/glossary/ucaas/) UCaaS (unified communications as a service) is a cloud subscription that combines business phone calling, video meetings, team messaging, voicemail and often contact-center features in one platform managed by the provider. - Phones ### [PBX](https://telxpress.com/glossary/pbx/) A PBX (private branch exchange) is a business phone system that switches calls between internal extensions and the outside world; it can be a box on your premises or a hosted service in the cloud. - Phones ### [VoIP](https://telxpress.com/glossary/voip/) VoIP (voice over internet protocol) carries phone calls as data over an internet or private IP network instead of traditional copper phone lines; cloud phone systems, UCaaS and SIP trunks are all built on it. 03 At Telxpress ## Where this shows up *at Telxpress* The pages and articles where this term does real work: what we advise, build and support. - Page ### [Business VoIP & Cloud Phone Systems in Irvine](https://telxpress.com/solutions/business-technology/phone-systems/) VoIP, cloud phone systems, UCaaS and SIP trunks from Yealink, Nextiva, Avaya, Yeastar and Polycom, installed, supported and ready for AI call handling. - Page ### [Structured Cabling & Fiber Installation](https://telxpress.com/solutions/business-technology/cabling/) Structured cabling, fiber, racks and clean terminations for new builds, expansions and office moves across Orange County, installed by our own team. - Page ### [Contact Telxpress in Irvine, CA | 24/7 Support Line](https://telxpress.com/contact/) Call (949) 861-4500 any time, email info@telxpress.com or visit 230 Goddard, Irvine. Office hours, map, contact form and consultation booking. 04 Sources ## Public *references* The standard or law this definition rests on, as published by its owner. Fetched and checked on the review date above. - [47 U.S.C. 623, Kari's Law: 911 access for multi-line telephone systems (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/623) law.cornell.edu - [47 CFR 9.16, MLTS obligations under Kari's Law and RAY BAUM's Act (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/47/9.16) law.cornell.edu Next step ## Want This Applied *to Your Business?* Book a free 30-minute AI readiness consultation. You'll leave with three AI opportunities specific to your business, whether you work with us or not. [Book My Free Consultation](https://telxpress.com/book/) [Take the Free AI Readiness Assessment](https://telxpress.com/ai-readiness/) [Or call 24/7: (949) 861-4500](tel:+19498614500) Last reviewed: October 11, 2026. Published by Telxpress, Irvine, CA.