NETp1-06: A Secure and Energy Efficient Scheme for Wireless VoIP Emergency Service

The secure and efficient deployment of enhanced emergency services (E911) is a critical component of emerging wireless VoIP applications. In this work we detail a new scheme for a secure and energy efficient E911 service that can be deployed over wireless networks. The scheme involves the intermittent use of embedded GPS on a VoIP phone in an optimally energy efficient manner. GPS acquisition is only requested when the network´s positioning system dictates its necessity. The mathematical techniques deployed in this system naturally lend themselves to an authentication procedure based on location verification. Here we focus on WiFi networks, and show how our scheme can lead to substantial energy savings, and robust location verification, even in the presence of significant biases on the WiFi positioning metrics.