NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Internet-based phone services could soon have full-feature emergency 911 service now missing, according to a published report.

USA Today reported Friday that the Federal Communications Commission, local phone companies and the companies offering the Internet phone service to a growing number of households are working to solve the lack of emergency service later this year.

The newspaper reported that new FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is recommending the Web-based phone service providers be required to offer the enhanced 911 service to its customers, according to three FCC officials. The proposal could be approved later this month.

The newspaper said that while the 1.5 million customers who have Internet phone service through their cable companies have enhanced 911 service, another 1.5 million who have service from smaller companies don't now have access to the service.

There has been public outcry following some high-profile incidents where customers could not reach 911 operators.

Part of the problem is that the regional bell companies such as Verizon Communications and Qwest control the enhanced 911 systems that route the calls and the contain the phone numbers that allow emergency operators to see a caller's address, saving precious time. Those companies told the newspaper that some low-cost Internet phone providers such as Vonage have refused to pay high fees to route the calls over dedicated wires. Vonage disputes this.

The newspaper reported that Vonage has reached an agreement with Verizon and is close to deals with Qwest and SBC Communications. But Qwest issued a statement Friday morning after publication of the article that said it is already providing the enhanced 911 service to Vonage. Its statement praised the move by the FCC to require the service.

Qwest's statement said that Web phone services "must treat E911 access as an integral part of the service they provide, and a necessary cost of doing business. Anything less is irresponsible."

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