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Vonage Wins One
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Sat, 03 Jul 2004 06:50:27 -0400
Begin forwarded message: From: Randall <rvh40 () insightbb com> Date: July 2, 2004 8:26:26 PM EDT To: cyberia <CYBERIA-L () LISTSERV AOL COM> Cc: Dave Farber <dave () farber net> Subject: Vonage Wins One http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3376391 Vonage Records Regulatory Victory By Colin C. Haley July 1, 2004 A federal magistrate is poised to issue a preliminary injunction blocking New York officials from regulating broadband telephony upstart Vonage. Magistrate Judge Douglas F. Eaton of the U.S. District Court announced late Wednesday his intent to rule against the New York Public Service Commission (PSC), and he is expected to release a written order shortly. He may also consider making the injunction permanent. A hearing to consider that move would likely come in January, Vonage said. "The six-month window gives the [Federal Communications Commission] breathing room to take leadership of this issue by creating a national framework for VoIP policy," Brooke Schulz, a Vonage spokeswoman told internetnews.com. Meanwhile, New York PSC Chairman William M. Flynn issued a statement saying that the state "will continue to make its case in the Federal Communications Commission's ongoing rulemaking on IP-enabled services." This is the second such victory for Vonage. In October 2003, another federal judge ruled that Minnesota regulators could not require Vonage to register as a telephone provider to provide its IP telephony services to customers in the state. Vonage and other VoIP providers argue that they operate as "information services providers," not telecommunications services providers, and are therefore outside the jurisdiction of the state officials who oversee entities. States don't buy that distinction. They also worry about the prospect of losing revenue for worthy programs. Telephone tariffs comprise a major part of state revenues, and they help fund Internet connections to schools and libraries, as well as support local 9-1-1 services. In addition to the Minnesota decision, Vonage believes the FCC's hands-off posture on the emerging technology helped its case. The FCC, led by Chairman Michael Powell, has indicated it wants a light regulatory touch, so the growth of the technology isn't suppressed. At the same time, there are a number of issues that must be hammered out, whether by government mandate or voluntary compliance, including 9-1-1 service and the ability of law enforcement agencies to be able to tap into VoIP calls. The FCC is working with both sides to craft guidelines. ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
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- Vonage Wins One David Farber (Jul 03)