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More Fallout From FCC VoIP Decision

Posted by michael on from the who-you-gonna-call dept.

EconomyGuy writes "While many of us have been celebrating the recent FCC decision to keep regulation off of VoIP, but there may be some undesirable results for those progressive geeks who believe government should do more than provide military defense. As VoIP takes off as a replacement for the traditional copper-wire network, local and state governments are going to lose more and more funding for important services like 911 and Universal Service."

8 of 304 comments (clear)

  1. 911 is dying by Ckwop · · Score: 3, Funny

    .. but have netcraft confirmed it? Seriously, they'll just place a tax on a per megabyte basis.. Nothing to see here move along.. Simon.

  2. It won't come to that... by DeTHZiT · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm sure that it will never become an issue. 911 is such an important, fundamental service, it will always be offered. Besides, as Big Brotherish as the government is these days, you could probably just call the free "terrorist hint line" and tell them Osama Bin Laden is trying to steal your car...

  3. 911 sucks by DigiShaman · · Score: 4, Funny

    Seriously!!! After getting shot in my 91 CRX by two thugs high on LCD, PCP, and drunk, I called the cops from a store as soon as I fled the scene. It took 30 minutes. 30 fucking minutes before I got a call back from a COP in the area through his CB radio (patched in through 911)!

    It's a long story. But basically, the only that human scum got cought was because the driver passed out at the wheel.

    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
    1. Re:911 sucks by stoney27 · · Score: 4, Funny

      "...91 CRX by two thugs high on LCD,..."

      We might have a serious problem if people can get high on LCDs. :)

      -S

      --

      It is said that a child learns wisdom from the parent,
      but the truly wise parent learns joy from the child
    2. Re:911 sucks by l0b0 · · Score: 2, Funny
      We might have a serious problem if people can get high on LCDs. :)
      In my younger days, y'know, when CRT was going strong, y'know, I, uh, tried it, and it was just, y'know, boom! It started with a 12", but I always needed more. I used to dream of the day I could score, y'know, 21" or sum'thin. But even when I reached it, it was still, y'know, not enough. Then LCD arrived, and it was, like, a new world. Now I'm using 17", y'know, but when you're down like this, y'know, it's only the next kick that counts. If I find enough money, I'll probably get me a, uh, dual 25" or sum'thing. It'll probably kill me, but I jus' don't, y'know, care anymore.
  4. Re:911 is dying (In it's current form, maybe) by nounderscores · · Score: 2, Funny

    How much traffic in a given area's actually VoIP and not, say, MMORG or bitorrent?

    Great. More ways for people to claim that EverQuest and pirated movies cost lives.

  5. Isn't It Amazing... by automag · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...how huge corporations can extol the virtues of the 'American way,' 'free trade,' 'competition,' and the like only until the moment that they realize that they've become completely obsolete? Then they fight like drowning rats using silly arguments like 'not giving us your money any more will be BAD for you... Pay no attention to the progress behind the curtain.' This sounds durprisingly similar to the arguement that Verizon threw up earlier this week to prevent municipal Wi-Fi. Whatever. I say good riddance to 'em and bring on the progress.

    --
    ---As my daddy used to tell me: "You gotta be smart before you can be a smartass."
  6. Re:Tax Cuts are going the wrong way .... by xs650 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Organized, and some not so organized criminal groups are already way ahead of the Jennifer Gumnt Model. They find a potential victim and collect money to prevent a crime. Much more efficient.