Because of ’the inherent’ differences between IP networks and the...

Tues. to the FCC. The statement, which TIA said represented the views of telecom equipment manufacturers, cautioned the agency to remember regulation would “restrict the inherent advantages of the IP platform.” TIA said all technologies should meet public interest needs such as providing access to law enforcement agencies where “technically and operationally feasible” and supporting “emergency response needs of public safety authorities.” VoIP services shouldn’t engage in misleading marketing, such as slamming, but “we anticipate that market forces will be the strongest agent of consumer protection,” TIA said. The association also weighed in on the side of making VoIP subject to “a single federal policy which explicitly preempts inconsistent state actions.” Agreeing with views expressed by some VoIP carriers, TIA said VoIP might help reduce the cost of serving high-cost areas and thus the amount of universal service funding needed. However, universal service funding still must be supported, TIA said, urging actions to keep the funding system fair: (1) “Ensure that support is not greater than the minimum necessary to ensure… affordable and reasonably comparable rates.” (2) “Recognize that voice is one of many applications provided over IP networks and that segregating voice from other applications is infeasible and will harm innovation.” (3) Encourage the use of efficient technologies in rural areas. (4) Not impose “legacy regulatory mechanisms on VoIP in lieu of reforming those mechanisms.” Among such “legacy” regulations that don’t fit VoIP are requirements to obtain state certificates or licenses, TIA said. A VoIP provider should be required simply to register with a state, like some other businesses, the association said.