Congresscritters ask FCC to wrest control of VoIP from states

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

http://www.house.gov/pickering/VOIPInt.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE - October 5, 2004
Contact: BRIAN PERRY: 202-225-5031

PICKERING LETTER ASKS FCC TO RULE VOIP INTERSTATE
62 members of Congress urge ruling that VoIP is interstate and subject 
to FCC jurisdiction; would protect emerging technology from patchwork of 
state regulations

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today sixty-one members of Congress joined 
Representative Chip Pickering (R-Miss) in calling on the Federal 
Communications Commission to rule that VoIP is an interstate application 
and thus subject to FCC jurisdiction. The bipartisan letter to FCC 
Chairman Michael Powell urges a ruling that voice over Internet protocol 
(VoIP) is interstate in nature and subject to the Commission's exclusive 
jurisdiction, thus protecting this emerging technology from a patchwork 
of stifling state regulations.

"VoIP is the next forward step in voice communications. As this 
efficient technology grows, consumers will benefit from advanced 
services and reduced costs," Pickering said. "But for consumers to be 
able to enjoy the fruits of this technology, VoIP must develop and 
prosper without the threat of a patchwork of state regulations stifling 
the innovation. Clearly, VoIP is interstate in nature and thus subject 
to FCC jurisdiction. This letter asks the FCC to expedite their ruling 
on the subject and provide jurisdictional and regulatory clarity."

VoIP technology allows for real time voice communication over the 
Internet, essentially allowing consumers to use their computers or other 
VoIP application devices as they once used their phones.

"As we increase our broadband Internet users in Mississippi, we will see 
new choices and lower prices in voice communications. Utilizing the 
Internet, it will make no price difference if you're talking to someone 
in Memphis or Montana or Mozambique. Voice over the Internet will change 
the way we communicate, but we must keep government regulation from 
crippling this technology in its infancy," Pickering said.

Earlier this year, Pickering - who is Vice Chairman of the House Energy 
and Commerce Committee and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Wireless 
Caucus - and Senator John Sununu (R-NH) introduced legislation to 
protect VoIP technology from regulation, and to foster the evolution of 
this revolutionary development in the telecommunications industry. 
Pickering believes VoIP legislation will be a major technology issue 
during the next Congress.

Pickering noted a favorable ruling by the FCC to this letter would 
"ensure a greater degree of market certainty and prevent a misguided 
approach to regulating VoIP, spurring private innovation which will 
create competition and costs savings for consumers." Thirty-three 
members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, a bipartisan 
majority of the committee with VoIP jurisdiction, have signed on to this 
letter.

Chip Pickering is currently serving his fourth term as a Republican 
member of the United States Congress. He represents the Third District 
of Mississippi and is assistant majority whip and serves on the 
Agriculture Committee and is Vice-Chairman of the Energy and Commerce 
Committee. Pickering is Co-Chairman of the Congressional Wireless Caucus 
and sits on the Speaker's High-Tech Working Group.

Media Note: A copy of the letter to the FCC is attached.
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