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Congress Debates Internet Voice Communications
CWA is calling on Congress to ensure that new Internet communications services such as Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other IP-enabled services adhere to laws requiring them to support the public interest and public safety.
In a letter to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain, CWA President Morton Bahr urged committee members to reject S. 2281, a measure that would abolish universal service, fair access and other requirements for VoIP carriers.
The committee subsequently voted to require VoIP providers to meet the public interest standards. A House version of the bill does not include the language.
Bahr said voice communication over the Internet is clearly a telecommunications service, meaning VoIP carriers must support the public interest by contributing to universal service, adhering to public safety requirements, providing access for people with disabilities and meeting the other standards required of voice providers.
Further, he said that because VoIP carriers benefit from the ability to connect their customers to all other customers, they must contribute to the support of that network.
In a letter to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain, CWA President Morton Bahr urged committee members to reject S. 2281, a measure that would abolish universal service, fair access and other requirements for VoIP carriers.
The committee subsequently voted to require VoIP providers to meet the public interest standards. A House version of the bill does not include the language.
Bahr said voice communication over the Internet is clearly a telecommunications service, meaning VoIP carriers must support the public interest by contributing to universal service, adhering to public safety requirements, providing access for people with disabilities and meeting the other standards required of voice providers.
Further, he said that because VoIP carriers benefit from the ability to connect their customers to all other customers, they must contribute to the support of that network.