TMCnet - World's Largest Communications and Technology Community
New Coverage :  Asterisk  |  Call Center Outsourcing  |  Call Recording  |  SIP Trunking  |  Hosted Exchange  |  PBX
Webinars
Channels by Topic

Join The Fight Against VoIP Regulation!
Go Directly To Petition

If you havent heard, the government is looking at possibly taxing VoIP. It is possible that the Internet tax ban will continue while IP telephony is singled out as a taxable service. VoIP is a revenue killer for the government as the government does regulate and receive taxes and fees from other forms of telephony. As all telephony one day is likely to travel over the Internet or IP networks, it is inevitable that revenue flowing into the universal service fund and countless dollars that were brought in as surcharges and taxes on wireless and wired telephony will stop flowing to the government. From the governments standpoint I am sure it is logical to want to collect taxes on IP telephony just as it does on virtually all other types of telecommunications services. Why not continue to tax what youve always taxed?

I believe it is time for a change.

It makes no sense to impose such outrageous taxes on IP telephony and fund additional programs via surcharges on an industry where rates are falling as rapidly as any industry I have ever seen. The positive effects of competition afforded by IP telephony delivered through companies like Skype, Net2Phone, Vonage and 8x8 are incredible for our economy and the technology markets and furthermore force traditional telecommunications service providers to become more competitive or perish. Best of all, becoming a service provider using IP telephony is infinitely less costly than becoming a service provider prior to the invention of this technology. If you handicap this market in any way, you do a disservice to consumers everywhere!

We need IP telephony to remain unregulated so that competition can increase and consumers can be given more and lower cost choices when it comes to choosing a service provider. Already companies like Verizon and AT&T have been forced to offer services similar to those offered by the companies above to stay competitive.

I agree that some regulation is warranted Especially when it comes to making sure that 911 calls and other emergency service/homeland security issues are dealt with in a manner that is in the public interest.

If you agree, please sign our petition and also write to your politicians telling them that you are not in favor of taxing IP telephony. Here is a sample letter that may be sent. Feel free to modify it or send it as is.

Sincerely,
Rich Tehrani
President, TMC
Group Editorial Director, Internet Telephony Magazine
Chairman, Internet Telephony Conference & Expo

1 people have signed this petition.

First Name: *
Last Name: *
No. Employees: *
City: *
State: *
Country: *
E-mail Address: *

*Note - your e-mail address will be held in confidence.
See the list of people who have signed this petition

SAMPLE LETTER

The Honorable (Representatives name here)

I am not in favor of taxing IP telephony. Please do not tax or impose fees on VoIP as this technology allows increased competition and innovation which is good for your constituents. Any regulation or threat thereof will scare equipment providers, service providers and the entities that finance these companies leading to less investment and/or innovation and an overall loss of choice for consumers.

Thank You,
(Your name here)
Contact Your State Senator Contact Your State Representative
If you want to write to the FCC on this matter, you have until approximately 12/14 to give your comments.

Please keep your comments to 1,000 words and send them to: voipforum@fcc.gov

Upcoming Events

ITEXPO West 2012
October 1- 4, 2012
The Austin Convention Center
Austin, Texas
4GWE Conference
October 1- 4, 2012
The Austin Convention Center
Austin, Texas
MSPAlliance MSPWorld™
October 1- 4, 2012
The Austin Convention Center
Austin, Texas

DevCon5
DevCon5 provides you with the information and tools you need to exploit the capabilities of revolutionary HTML5 technology
View all >>
Subscribe FREE to all of TMC's monthly magazines. Click here now.