FC: Jeff Pulver: Net telephony is under attack from regulators

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[If I understand Jeff's message, here we see yet another example of two 
technologies being subject to different regulations, creating a competitive 
advantage for one and an unstable situation in general. The solution is to 
equalize the amount of regulation (or, in this case, someting akin to 
taxation). But since eliminating a regulatory regime would mean cutting off 
"free" money flowing to schools and libraries -- not exactly politically 
palatable -- we're seeing Internert telephony targeted instead with more 
regulation/taxation. Think of it as a full employment guarantee for 
everyone at the FCC for the foreseeable future. --Declan]

---

Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 23:37:13 -0500 (EST)
From: Jeff Pulver <jeff () pulver com>
To: Declan Mccullagh <declan () well com>
Subject: VoIP is Under Attack [again] in the United States

Declan:

Back in November the IP Communications Industry had issues with the way
the NANPA ( http://www.nanpa.com ) North American Numbering Plan
Administration, was approaching VoIP. While the folks at NANPA are
still working on their approach to VoIP, those of us who are
living in the United States who care about IP Communications now have a
much more immediate problem, the National Association of Regulatory
Utility Commissioners NARUC ( http://www.naruc.org ) and their 2003 Winter
Meetings ( http://www.naruc.org/Meetings/winter/2003/index.htm )taking
place Feb 22-26.

NARUC already has a strong anti-VOIP resolution set to go through their
voting process next Sunday.  I've posted a draft copy that I've recently
received as word document to: ( http://pulver.com/reports/naruc1b.doc )
[ this was received on February 15th. ]

If the NARUC resolution gets passed it will create unnecessary taxes and
crippling administrative burden on the Internet and in fact would mark a
real dark day for IP Communications in the United States. Together we need
to counter lobbyist scaremongering by explaining to state commissioners
that internet connections must not be burdened with crippling
administration.

The commissioners are worried that an explosion of internet calls could
threaten the Universal Service Fund. The reality is that it will be many
years before the volume of calls diverted is enough to affect service
funds, giving plenty of time to find a well-thought out response. The move
for immediate action is an attempt by some to stifle future internet
choices hidden in some legitimate concerns.

People can find your State Commissioners email at
( www.naruc.org/resources/state.shtml ). I'm hoping to encorage people
to use their own words and to send email to their respective State
Commissioners. I've posted a sample letter to:
( http://pulver.com/reports/narucletter.html ). People can freely take
from my draft letter, although people should use their your own words and
mentioning the state they live in will be even more effective.

State commissioners play an important role, but few beyond the
professional lobbyists contact them on issues. Even a few emails have the
potential to sway them on an issue.

I'm am hoping that people take the time to reach out to their respective
State Commissioners this week and have their voices heard. Together I
know we can make a difference. :-)


Best regards,

Jeff




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