Optimized routing of VoIP emergency calls

A system for routing emergency calls placed over a packet-switched network from a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) at a remote location, the system comprising:

• means for registering the CPE with a home Internet Service Provider (ISP) through a remote ISP that is providing the CPE access to the packet-switched network;
• means for determining that the CPE is at a remote location;
• means for obtaining a local Internet Protocol (IP) address that corresponds to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) serving the remote location;
• means for routing non-emergency calls to the home ISP for call processing;
• and,
• means for handling emergency calls locally at the remote ISP in accordance with the obtained local IP address.

A method of handling calls placed from an Internet Protocol (IP) telephone located at a remote location served by a first Public Safety Answer Point (PSAP) that is different from a second PSAP serving a home location, said handling including selectively routing calls via one of a home network at the home location and a remote network at the remote location, said remote network providing the IP telephone access to an IP network linking the home and remote networks, said method comprising:

• (a) sending a registration message from the IP telephone through the remote network over the IP network to the home network;
• (b) determining that the IP telephone is at a remote location;
• (c) obtaining an IP address local to the remote location that corresponds to the first PSAP;
• (d) defining a set of rules that differentiate calls into a first type of call and a second type of call;
• (d) handling the first type of calls locally at the remote network in accordance with the obtained local IP address;
• and,
• (e) routing the second type of calls to the home network for handling thereby.