VoIP and the US Government

VoIP works with a broadband or high speed Internet connection and allows you to place phone calls over the Internet rather than with telephone lines.

There are variations between different VoIP service providers. Some only allow communication between two computers that are running the same service, while others will allow you to call any phone from your VoIP service provider.

VoIP has many advantages, simply because it is cost effective and Packet Switching uses less bandwidth then Circuit Switching which in turn saves money. Since the inception of VoIP, it was clear that because VoIP utilizes Packet Switching and not Circuit, VoIP was in a new category all by itself. Hundreds of years have passed, dedicated to passing and establishing certain laws regarding Circuit Networks and telecommunications, yet VoIP has gracefully slipped beneath all of the established rules and regulations.

It is due to this fact that VoIP is more cost efficient. VoIP is not held to the same tax rules and regulations that apply to PSTN networks. Though we can expect further legal matters to address this issue. Furthermore, VoIP service providers have been concerned about regulations for IP communications being left to each state’s interpretation. This could prove to be an unsightly battle in the future. VoIP technology is booming and by the year 2008, it is expected that most companies will be using VoIP for their business needs. Many VoIP service providers are in favor of Federal Regulations to accelerate the rapid growth of VoIP and provide stability for customers nationwide. Currently, the FCC has begun regulations with VoIP, yet we can be sure that in the next few years, we will see rapid advancements in the race to regulate this phenomenal technology.

The FCC has initiated two major moves of concern to all VoIP technological advances everywhere. The first concerns CALEA and the other is in regards to Enhanced 911.

CALEA stands for Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act. CALEA would enable law enforcement to issue taps on VoIP data the same as they do with PSTN. This is an interesting area, because VoIP technology has now opened the door, through CALEA, to monitor other forms of Packet Switching networks. If VoIP service providers can be called upon for tap and trace procedures, and if it doesn’t matter if the communications were PC to PC, then that would extend to Instant Messaging services, gamers, and the like. When it comes to the area of the FBI, CALEA, and tapping VoIP there are some major issues to consider. First, the government rulings have been established for decades regarding Circuit Switched technology, by transferring these rules to VoIP (packet switch) we are redefining the nature of VoIP.

The second issue that the FCC has established new regulations is in regards to Enhanced 911. This stems from the fact that when VoIP first went mainstream, there was no way for users to contact 911. This lead to many problems and the FCC has declared that if subscribers don’t sign a waiver stating that they understand their VoIP services will not connect to 911 like PSTN networks, they will have to be cut off. Currently, the new Enhanced 911 service does have its imperfections, and we can expect to see more growth in this area as VoIP service providers redefine telecommunications.

The impact of these rulings lies in the fact that the US government is trying to enforce rules upon VoIP technology as if it were PSTN.

The truth of the matter is VoIP is very different from PSTN, and what the implications of this kind of ruling may lead to in the future is unchartered water.

In a 10 minute Video News Blog, Ed Asner, the most prominent actor/activist of his time, takes on the Los Angeles City Council for failing to stop Time Warner Cable from closing down the 25 year-old public access studios and channels system on December 31, 2008. Appearing on the Emmy Award-winning Full Disclosure Network®, hosted by Leslie Dutton, Asner is critical of the LA Council for diverting the $25 million cable Franchise Fees paid by Time Warner Cable that was intended to support public access cable television operations. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/ED_ASNER_PUBLIC_ACCESS/FREE_SPEECH_LOS_ANGELES/prweb1817844.htm

FutureView Technologies is literally changing the face of corporations around the globe. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/FutureView/InterActive-Operator/prweb1812064.htm

Vikas Kapoor, iQor's president and CEO, has joined the Rubin Museum of Art's (RMA) Board of Trustees. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Vikas_Kapoor/Rubin_Museum/prweb1729534.htm

Homepath Products, LLC introduces eXapathTM , a patent-pending revolutionary low voltage cabling pathway solution for new home construction and renovations. eXapath helps homes and homeowners keep up with the cabling technology advancements in consumer electronics. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Tenqa eliminates the wires between you and your iPod®, mp3 player, cell phone, or computer with Tenqa Bluetooth Wireless Headphones, Bluetooth Wireless Speakers, and Bluetooth audio receivers for home stereo. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/bluetooth/speaker/prweb1822994.htm

Partnership allows hundreds of AastraLink Response Point resellers to offer SimpleSignal's SIP Trunking to North America businesses (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/simplesignal/wesbell/prweb1823494.htm

Versatile and durable mobile phone provides one-touch access to people and information, superior call quality and the power to find your way (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Latest devices to be displayed at 2009 International CES in Las Vegas (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Overall, mailbox shipments grew faster than revenues due to significant gains by manufacturers offering lower than average prices, aggressive discounting and free unified messaging mailboxes with new systems. (PRWeb Jan 5, 2009)

Inventive Media, a consulting firm serving the needs of the Wireless Internet Service Provider industry, announced today the WISP Directory website (http://www.wispdirectory.com), the most comprehensive list of WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) in the United States. Entries in the WISP Directory include zip codes serviced, customer ratings, independent reviews and WISP Technology used by each WISP. A coverage map showing the total area serviced by WISP operators will also be provided later in the first quarter of 2009. The directory currently has over 1700 verified WISP operators in the United States, and over 180 entries for WISP related businesses. (PRWeb Jan 4, 2009)

US21 Computers announced that it has been awarded a United States General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule 70, contract number GS- 35F-0146V. This contract enables US21 to be listed on an approved GSA Schedule and to sell satellite telecommunications equipment, services, and airtime directly to government agencies. (PRWeb Jan 2, 2009)

Proxicast's LAN-Cell 2 3G cellular router is fast becoming the professional choice for secure 3G wireless video communications. (PRWeb Jan 2, 2009)

Right out of the package, the plug-and-play magicJack enables you to make calls within seconds, supplying the highest-quality free long distance and local calling, your own phone number, free directory assistance and many other features - all for $19.95 a year. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 and only takes seconds to get started. (PRWeb Dec 31, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/customer_care/dan_borislow/prweb1812304.htm

For the engineers at Leggett & Platt, the conceivable limits of modern technology are good for one thing: they provide a well-defined boundary to break. The Fortune 500 diversified manufacturer has partnered with Fulton Innovation, the inventors of eCoupled intelligent wireless power, to redefine how business gets done (www.leggetteCoupled.com). (PRWeb Dec 30, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/mobile_workspace/console_pocket/prweb1807694.htm

VoIP and the US Government

The US government has begun regulating VoIP technology. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol.

VoIP works with a broadband or high speed Internet connection and allows you to place phone calls over the Internet rather than with telephone lines.

The impact of these rulings lies in the fact that the US government is trying to enforce rules upon VoIP technology as if it were PSTN.