Representatives of Cal. providers of VoIP services told a Cal. Se...
Representatives of Cal. providers of VoIP services told a Cal. Senate committee that they accepted limited state regulatory oversight, while state regulators and lawmakers said they didn’t see a need for heavy-handed regulation of the nascent VoIP industry. The…
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Cal. Senate Energy Utilities & Communications Committee held hearings on whether state legislation was needed to address public interest implications of VoIP. State Sen. Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach) said VoIP providers’ participation in 911 systems and universal service programs was the crucial public interest issues. Cal. PUC Comr. Carl Wood said VoIP regulation should follow the cellphone model with a minimum of regulation, focused on consumer protection. Comr. Susan Kennedy said universal service contributions should be assessed per phone number, regardless of the technology. Representatives of VoIP providers 8x8 Communications and SBC Advanced Solutions said they might support participation in universal service subsidy systems if the funds were used to spread broadband access to new communities, and they would work with public officials to tie VoIP customers to 911 systems. They also said if VoIP were free to compete on price and service, reasonable regulations for protection of customers might be acceptable. Last year, the VoIP industry in Cal. was adamant any state VoIP regulation would be inappropriate.