As new platforms of telecommunications come into play
competing with services like legacy telephone, many see the need for
regulation. Voice over IP (VoIP) (define
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alert) telephony is the newest un-regulated technology in question,
and now, at court in the state of New York.
Boosting up Minnesota District Judge Davis' October
2003�s attempt to regulate VoIP services provided by Vonage, Magistrate
Judge Douglas F. Eaton, United States District Court (Southern District of
New York) this month, voiced his intention to enjoin the New York Public
Service Commission (PSC) from regulating Vonage
(news-
alert) as a telecommunications carrier. The preliminary injunction
will preclude the State of New York from asserting its jurisdiction over
Vonage.
"We are satisfied with the court's decision and
believe this is a positive step forward for New Yorkers and the industry,"
said Jeffrey A. Citron, chairman and CEO of Vonage Holdings Corporation. "Vonage
remains eager and committed to working with the states, Congress and the
FCC to create a national framework for this emerging industry."
Chairman Powell's clear leadership on this issue was
instrumental in this recent decision - the court recognized the ongoing
work of the IP-enabled NPRM and workshops furthering the national policy
development. Vonage plans to continue to participate in the ongoing
dialogue with the FCC and the states, which brings clarity to the policies
for VoIP services.
William Wilhelm, Esq., ecommerce &
telecommunications, for Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman agrees, the
decision �will have a positive outcome, since it started to be resolved at
a national level.� The government would see these companies �having to
comply with rules just as the telephone companies, forcing providers to
out short. I see this decision as a favorable one for the VoIP industry,
and I see this issue being resolved in approximately several months, at
least before the year end.�
Johanne Torres is the Assistant Editor for TMCnet.com and Internet
Telephony magazine. Previously, she was the Assistant Editor for EContent
magazine in Connecticut. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].
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