Pulver.com, provider of voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) servi...

Washington, opposes allowing VoIP services to be treated differently from standard phone services. VoIP allows phone calls to be carried over Internet network. Pulver.com CEO Jeff Pulver said state utility comrs. were worried that “explosion” of Internet calls could threaten Universal Service Fund. “The reality is that it will be many years before the volume of calls diverted is enough to affect service funds, giving plenty of time to find a well-thought-out response,” said Pulver, who encouraged public to write state utility commissioners: “The move for immediate action is an attempt by some to stifle future Internet choices hidden in some legitimate concerns.” Peter Bluhm, policy dir. for Vt. Public Service Board and author of resolution, said it was response to AT&T petition to FCC requesting clarification of access charges on VOIP calls. Bluhm said if AT&T was requesting changes only in interstate calls, then “NARUC would have nothing to say,” since local utility commissions regulate intrastate calls. However, if VoIP network were declared information service, as opposed to telecom service, then access charges might be avoided and AT&T and others could use network without paying for it, he said. But Bluhm said resolution was merely document to get discussion started about VoIP. “The question in many states is: ‘What’s different?'” Bluhm said of VoIP. “Why should you get free use of the facilities on both ends?”