3rd Party Remote Call Monitoring Feature

More and more, we're seeing individuals and companies alike make a major change in the way communications are done. It wasn't so long ago that, when a person needed to get in touch with someone else, the first move was toward the phone. But now, we see businesses and people alike make moves more toward the computer or the mobile device, and that's not only changing how people get in touch, but also the means to do so. That's leading the Federal Communications Commission (FCC (News - Alert)) to make some changes in the rules relating to such systems, which are currently under consideration.

The new rules are set to come up in an FCC meeting on Nov. 21, where the group will discuss things like network sharing as well as new rules that require power backups for voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks. Under the new rules, large carriers would be required to share last-mile IP networks, the stuff that connects directly to the customer itself, like copper wire subscriber lines that connect an individual house's telephone line to the main telephone network in the area. Though the carriers wouldn't be obliged to do so for free; rather, said carriers would be free to charge for that access at rates, and terms, similar to those used in accessing copper phone infrastructure.

Essentially, according to reports, the FCC wants to ensure that there are more competitive options available overall, a move that isn't likely to be received well by the large carriers generally unused to sharing IP networks with competition. But as FCC chairman Tom Wheeler (News - Alert) noted, the move to IP networks is at a “tipping point,” and consumers and businesses alike need competitive choices. Without those choices, Wheeler noted, the end result would only be higher prices that get passed on to the consumer. Additionally, the plan to require battery backup on VoIP networks would bring it more in line with current copper-based telephone networks. When power goes out, the phone lines often still work because there's an independent power supply on the network. But VoIP calling, meanwhile, has no such backup and requires each user have a backup power system in place or simply go without. This is a disaster for those who need phone service during outages and have VoIP calling systems, particularly those who need 911 access.

Both of these issues are actually equally important, but for different reasons. Indeed, the idea of making the competitive pool of Internet access broader sounds like a terrific idea, especially for those who, either by circumstance or by statute, have access to only one major Internet service provider. We've seen the impact of competition in the field, particularly as Google Fiber emerged; several other major firms have likewise stepped up fiber access in Google (News - Alert)'s wake to remain competitive, and that's the kind of thing we need much more of. Meanwhile, power backup systems for VoIP calling sounds great, but that's not likely to do the job completely; after all, the devices required to connect to VoIP systems are likely to need power, so backup power in the home or business will likely be a must as well.

There are a lot of changes in the works, and so too do the rules occasionally need some updating. Hands-off is generally best most of the time, but a few basic rules help the game be played, so to speak, and so the FCC's work may be for the best.