FCC Rules On Pulver Free World Dialup

An anonymous reader writes " Light Reading is reporting that the verdict is in on Pulver's FWD. 'The first big decision was a victory for VoIP proponents. The commission ruled that Pulver.com's Free World Dialup VOIP service is an information service, not a telecommunications service. The decision was based largely on the analysis that it doesn't fit the 1996 Telecom Act's definition of a telecommunications service.' To me this was a no-brainer on the part of the FCC. Let's see if they get the rest right too."

Comments

Why VOIP is not a communication thing

[moduc]

I love VOIP. Also, having free call over the world is great. However, I just cannot understand why VOIP is not a communication medium, and why the FCC has to decide whether to impose rule on it or not. It's is another way to transfer voice right? So, it does not work like a phone, but it does what a phone does - providing a mechanism for 2 people or more talking to each other. Maybe it should not be regulated because if doing so would slow the adoption of this technolog. But to decide whether it's like a telephone or not, to be fair, I think it's just like telephone or TV, no difference.

Re:Why VOIP is not a communication thing

[Anonymous Coward]

I work for a major telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and I have to say that if the new entrants have an intrinsic advantage, that they are in fact "riding on the coatails" of the incumbents, our customers have yet to discover it. The incumbents control the infrastructure, they have significant influence over the accounting for that infrastructure, and they have established political influence. When even one incumbent goes bankrupt in the way that so many of the new entrants have, then maybe, just maybe, I'll give credence to your assertion that the new entrants have an unfair advantage. Until then, I'll believe what I've always believed: being an RBOC is a license to print money. Or maybe to steal, depending on how you look at it.

Re:Why VOIP is not a communication thing

[Crypto Gnome]

I have a counter argument for you

In that case, how is VoIP different from recording a message and ataching it in an email? The series of messages sent mack and forth constitute "two or more people talking to each other" so FCC should regulate email.with exactly the same fees and requirements as landlines (because *that's* actually what's at question here)

Oh and ditto for file-sharing networks because people could be sending back-and-forth MP3s of snippets of conversation. And also Instant Messaging.

Or even (gasp) The Internet! Every TCP session is a "communication" between two parties - so we need FCC fees and regulations aplying to every single TCP session we create. Obviously we need E911 services (one of the regs which would apply) available for every-single-IP address (ie we need to know EXACTLY where you are physically when you're on the internet at all times)

Now do you see how simple-minded your thinking is?

You made the classic mistake of boiling down the definition of "telecommunications" to its most basic brain-dead terms, and then applied that brain-dead definition to an advanced service. Of course you completely forgot that (mathematically speaking) to balance an equation you need to do the same operation to both sides - which would mean applying brain-dead regulations to VoIP (as you have so clearly suggested)

This won't last.

[bryanp]

1) The big Telco's start revamping their systems so that they are giant VOIP systems.
2) Tax revenues plummet.
3) Congress says "I don't think so."
4) Tax laws are amended.
5) Tax revenues go back up (Govt. version of Profit!)

No, no ??? line in this one. It's too obvious.

Re:This won't last.

[Roofus]

Oooh! I can play! This time I'll be the Cable Operators.

1) Cable COs see that VOIP competition is eating away at a new market they want to be a major player in.

2) Said Cable COs roll out DOCSIS 2.0 wih Quality of Service (QoS) provisions.

3) Cable COs give their VOIP packets highest priority, and everybody else low priority.

4) Customer calls to complain that their 3rd party VOIP is choppy. Customer service says "We can switch you over to our jitter-free service for only $5 more per month!"

5) VOIP competition dies.

Of course...

[mgcsinc]

Of course, this doesn't prevent congress from creating a bill that does apply to such services...

Re:Damned English!

[Anonymous Coward]

For damn long while I pondered what the hell they mean in the message. World Dialup is Pulver Free, that is Without Pulver. And what does FCC rule on this Pulver Free Word Dialup? The rest wasn't much easier either, until "Pulver.com's"...

If they had meant it was lacking Pulver (whatever that is) then it would've been: "FCC Rules on Pulver-Free World Dialup". Since they didn't hyphenate it then that isn't the case. It also doesn't help that Slashdot capitalizes every word in a headline. It's probably "FCC rules on Pulver free world dialup."

SIPphone

[Swe3tDave]

i got a free SIPphone software with my LindowsOS, you have to know someone who his also connected to the SIP network for this to work.. So its useless for me anyway..

Learn Damned English!

[Anonymous Coward]

"Pulver Free" in the "Without Pulver" sense would be represented using a hyphen: Pulver-Free.

HTH!

JUST SAY NO TO TAXES

[firstadopter.com]

It looks like FCC is leaning toward saying VOIP will not be taxed. That is pretty neat, look at your monthly phone bill and see how much we're paying in taxes. Insane.

There is a negative side too

[fpn]

Not that I like the large telcos or excessive regulations, but there are many good social services that regular telephone companies are legally required to provide at their expense that these new VoIP companies will not have to provide:

- Free access and services for the disabled, e.g. speech to text translators for the deaf/mute and hearing/speech impaired as well as mute people. (You call a 1-800 number and a person types what you say into a TTY and tells you what the other person wrote and vice-versa)

- Cheaper rates for the poor

- 911 location service - e.g. you have a stroke at your home and call 911 and can't speak, they can still locate you

and there are quite a few more.

best regards,
Florian