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Notes: VoIP

Notes > Applications > VoIP These notes are not complete and there is no guarantee that they are accurate. They are presented simply as notes. Feel free to use them but as with all material on the Internet Telecom Project, you should consider them a beginning to your research and not an end.

Jurisdiction Federal / State

Federal versus State Jurisdiction
Interstate Analysis

Mixed / Impossible

GeoLocation

Supremacy Clause / Preemption

FCC
States
Preempted
Not Preempted

47 USC 230 Unfettering
Sec. 706

Commerce Clause
Opposition to Multiple Jurisdictions Regulation

Definitions / Descriptions
VoIP 
Caselaw
FCC
States
State - Not in Regulatory Proceding
Defined as Bypass
Various Designs
Free World Dialup 
Vonage
Explanations
Telephony over Broadband
Dial Around
Interconnection to PSTN
Benefits of VoIP
Cost Savings
Arbitrage
Markets
Barriers to Entry
Adoption
Nascent Deployment
Classification
Functional Approach 
Application of State Law
Facilities
Computer Inquiries: Basic v. Enhanced Services Dichotomy
Computer Inquires
Telecom / Information Service (Telecom Act)
Telecom Service / Info Service Mutually Exclusive
Steven's Report
Steven's Criteria
Classes of Providers 
Duck
Steven's Report Criteria Applied 
Computer to Computer
Phone to Phone
Phone to Phone Long Distance
Information Service Analysis
Telecom Service Analysis
Telecom
Layered Approach
Market Approach
Legacy Regulations on Nascent / New Network
Unfettered
Issues
Universal Service
Access Charges
911
Power / Emergencies
CALEA Wiretaps
Voluntary Calea
Consumer Protection
Access by Individuals with Disabilities
NANP
State Proceedings

 Universal Service

Impact of IP Telephony on Universal Service Programs: TD projects that by 2008, given current VoIP penetration rates, between $183 and $407 million in revenue will no longer be available to support California's five statutorily mandated universal service programs if the support for these programs continues to rely on surcharges placed on regulated revenues. These "public purpose" programs are the California High Cost Funds A and B, the Universal Lifeline Fund, the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Fund, and the California Teleconnect Fund for schools, libraries, rural health clinics and community-based organizations. Attached are TD's projections of the dollar impact of VoIP penetration on each of these programs. As the attachment shows, nearly half of the funding base needed to supported the state's mandated universal service programs may be lost if VoIP providers do not contribute program funds.
-- Order instituting investigation on the Commission's own motion to determine the extent to which the public utility telephone service known as Voice over Internet Protocol should be exempted from regulatory requirements, CA PUC February 11, 2004 http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/published/agenda_decision/33960.htm

In order to formulate an informed, consistent regulatory policy, the Commission would like to obtain information about VOIP activity in Michigan . The Commission, therefore, requests comments on VOIP activity in Michigan on the following topics that may be affected by both state and federal law:
...
e. Whether VOIP providers may participate in, and have access to, the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) to provide service to rural areas, hospitals, and schools; the ability of VOIP carriers to provide low-cost service similar to Lifeline and Link-up for low-income end users; and the need for VOIP end-users to contribute to the federal USF.
-- -- U-14073 - Commission's Own Motion (investigation of VOIP) - (MI PUC 3/16/2004 ) HTML | PDF


Should VoIP providers and their subscribers contribute to the Universal Service Fund that assists low income consumers, schools and libraries with obtaining affordable telephone services? If not, will migration of customers from traditional telephone services to VoIP providers either reduce the funds available for USF programs or increase the burden on non-VoIP customers? Should VoIP providers and their subscribers contribute to similar state-operated programs, such as New York’s Targeted Accessibility Fund (which assists consumers with hearing and other physical disabilities)... Should VoIP providers contribute to state funds that support telephone regulatory agencies or pay state and local taxes on intrastate services provided to subscribers? How should jurisdictional allocation of VoIP services be identified and reported?
---In Re Vonage Holding Company Petition for a Declaratory Ruling Concerning the Order of the Minnesota PUC, WC Docket No. 03-211, Comments of the NY AG (Nov. 21, 2003)

 Access Charges

Impact of IP Telephony on Access Charges: Access charge payments represent 30 percent to 50 percent of intrastate revenue for small, rural local exchange carriers in California. Further, access charge payments represent about 30 percent of revenues of large telephone companies in California, which are used to offset a portion of the cost of basic telephone services offered by those companies. Revenue from access charges helps maintain affordable rates for telephone service in high-cost rural areas of the state. Because VoIP providers do not currently contribute to the payment of access charges, and if the current regulatory access charge scheme remains unchanged, sharp increases in VoIP growth could result in:
1. an accelerated consumer transition from services subject to access charges, such as toll services, to VoIP services.
2. a diminution of access and toll revenues, thereby reducing regulated revenues.
3. increases in regulated service prices, such as basic service, to offset regulated revenue reductions.
4. steep increases in public program surcharges to ensure basic telephone service is affordable in rural, high-cost areas of the state, because these customers cannot afford broadband connectivity or are currently beyond the reach of broadband networks.
-- Order instituting investigation on the Commission's own motion to determine the extent to which the public utility telephone service known as Voice over Internet Protocol should be exempted from regulatory requirements, CA PUC February 11, 2004 http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/published/agenda_decision/33960.htm

10. One final word on this subject: now that this commission has backed off on regulating VoIP - at least until the FCC acts - VoIP providers should seek free market solutions to intercarrier compensation and 911 service issues.  When a VoIP call touches the Publicly Switched Telephone Network, there should be compensation to the network owner - at a rate agreed to by willing market participants.  Resolving the 911-service issue is even more important.  VoIP providers should not have to worry that agreeing to contract with a Basic Emergency Service Provider (in Colorado, Qwest) to offer customary 911 services will somehow suck it into regulation, at least in this state.  I strongly encourage VoIP providers to work out 911-service and intercarrier compensation agreements, to show that they are good corporate citizens.  And to show that traditional regulation is not necessary.
--In The Matter Of The Investigation Into Voice Over Internet Protocol (Voip) Services, Docket No. 03M-220T, Order Closing Docket ¶ 8 ( Colorado PUC Dec. 17, 2003) (Chairman Gregory E. Sopkin Specially Concurring)


In order to formulate an informed, consistent regulatory policy, the Commission would like to obtain information about VOIP activity in Michigan . The Commission, therefore, requests comments on VOIP activity in Michigan on the following topics that may be affected by both state and federal law:
...
f. VOIP services' effect on the current access charge structure.
-- -- U-14073 - Commission's Own Motion (investigation of VOIP) - (MI PUC 3/16/2004 ) HTML | PDF



    "Our approval of Time Warner's application to provide interexchange service in Maine is conditioned on the payment of access charges to local exchange carriers (LECs) who have on file with the Commission approved access charge rate schedules.
            "Time Warner states that at present it will be offering service as a switchless reseller.[1] If Time Warner provides facilities-based interexchange service in the future, it must pay access charges directly to local exchange carriers.  However, switchless resellers do not pay access charges to local exchange carriers.  Instead, access charges are paid by an underlying facilities-based interexchange carrier.  As a condition of granting authority to a switchless reseller to provide intrastate service in Maine, its underlying facilities-based carrier must also have authority to provide intrastate service in Maine.  Time Warner has stated that MCI will be the underlying carrier from which it purchases interexchange services that it resells.  MCI is authorized by the Commission to provide intrastate interexchange service and does pay access charges for the intrastate interexchange services it sells to switchless resellers providing interexchange service in Maine.  If Time Warner begins to use another authorized underlying carrier, it shall notify the Commission as required by the ordering paragraphs."
--- Time Warner Cable Information Services Maine, Petition for Finding of Public Convenience and Necessity to Provide Resold Interexchange and Facilities Based Local Exchange Telecommunication Service, Docket No. 2002-792, Order Granting Authority to Provide Facilities Based Local Exchange Service and Competitive Interexchange Service and Approving Schedule of Rates and Terms and Conditions (Maine PUC February 11, 2003)

 911

See also FCC 911 solution Summit March 28, 2004 real audio | Powerpoint Presentation of Prof. Henning Schulzrinne, Department of Computer Science, Columbia University, New York.


42. As discussed above, we preempt the Minnesota Vonage Order because it imposes entry and other requirements on Vonage that impermissibly interfere with this Commission’s valid exercise of authority. As Vonage indicates in its Petition, Minnesota includes as one of its entry conditions the approval of a 911 service plan “comparable to the provision of 911 service by the [incumbent] local exchange carrier.” 145 In the Minnesota Vonage Order, the Minnesota Commission specifically subjected Vonage to this requirement. 146 Because Minnesota inextricably links pre-approval of a 911 plan to becoming certificated to offer service in the state, the application of its 911 requirements operates as an entry regulation. Vonage explains that there is no practicable way for it to comply with this requirement: it cannot today identify with sufficient accuracy the geographic location of a caller, and it has not obtained access in all cases to incumbent LEC E911 trunks that carry calls to specialized operators at public safety answering points (PSAPs). 147 Under the Minnesota “telephone company” rules, therefore, this requirement bars Vonage from entry in Minnesota . To that extent, this requirement is preempted along with all other entry requirements contained in Minnesota ’s “telephone company” regulations as applied to DigitalVoice. 148 Although we preempt Minnesota from imposing its 911 requirements on Vonage as a condition of entry, this does not mean that Vonage should cease the efforts it has undertaken to date and we understand is continuing to take both to develop a workable public safety solution for its DigitalVoice service and to offer its customers equivalent access to emergency services.

43. There is no question that innovative services like DigitalVoice are having a profound and beneficial impact on American consumers.149 While we do not agree with unnecessary economic regulation of DigitalVoice designed for different services, we do believe that important social policy issues surrounding services like DigitalVoice should be considered and resolved.150 Access to emergency services, a critically important public safety matter, is one of these important social policy issues. In this proceeding, Vonage has indicated that it is devoting substantial resources toward the development of standards and technology necessary to facilitate some type of 911 service, working cooperatively with Minnesota agencies and other state commissions, public safety officials and PSAPs, the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).151 Moreover, it has demonstrated that it is offering its version of 911 capability to all its customers, including those in Minnesota, and has provided us information indicating what actions its customers must take to activate this 911 capability.152 We are also aware that Vonage recently announced the successful completion of an E911 trial in Rhode Island, a state that has not, to our knowledge, attempted to regulate DigitalVoice. In collaboration with the State of Rhode Island, Vonage has developed a technical solution to deliver a caller’s location and call back number to emergency service personnel for 911 calls placed in that state by DigitalVoice users.153 We fully expect Vonage to continue its 911 development efforts and to continue to offer some type of public safety capability during the pendency of our IP-Enabled Services Proceeding.154

44. We emphasize that while we have decided the jurisdictional question for Vonage’s DigitalVoice here, we have yet to determine final rules for the variety of issues discussed in the IP-Enabled Services Proceeding. While we intend to address the 911 issue as soon as possible, perhaps even separately, we anticipate addressing other critical issues such as universal service, intercarrier compensation, section 251 rights and obligations,155 numbering, disability access, and consumer protection in that proceeding. 156

45. Furthermore, we acknowledge that a U.S. District Court in New York has recently ordered Vonage “to continue to provide the same emergency 911 calling services currently available to Vonage customers” within that state157 and to “make reasonable good faith efforts to participate on a voluntary basis” in workshops pertaining to the development of VoIP 911 calling capabilities.158 Because DigitalVoice is a national service for which Vonage cannot single out New York “intrastate” calls (any more than it can Minnesota “intrastate” calls), as a practical matter, the District Court’s order reaches DigitalVoice wherever it is used.159 Thus, we need not be concerned that as a result of our action today, Vonage will cease its efforts to continue developing and offering a public safety capability in Minnesota. The District Court order ensures that these efforts must continue while we work cooperatively with our state colleagues and industry to determine how best to address 911/E911-type capabilities for IP-enabled services in a comprehensive manner in the context of our IP-Enabled Services Proceeding.160

145See Vonage Petition at 25 (citing Minn. Rule § 7812.0550 subp. 1).

146See Minnesota Vonage Order at 8.

147See Vonage Petition at 8-9, 24-25.

148See supra paras. 20- 22 (explaining preemption of entry requirements). Indeed, Vonage notes in its petition that “[I]f the Commission preempts Minnesota’s certificate requirement . . . this issue [911 comparability to an incumbent LEC] will be moot.” See Vonage Petition at 25. Similarly, to the extent the Minnesota Commission demands payment of 911 fees as a condition of entry, that requirement is preempted.

149See VON Coalition Aug. 19 Ex Parte Letter at 4.

150 As explained above, these issues are currently being considered in pending proceedings before this Commission. See supra note 46. See also, e.g., Minnesota Commission Comments at 4; Surewest Comments at 12; Texas 911 Agencies Comments at 2-3 (urging the Commission to consider public safety issues related to VoIP services).

151 See NENA Reply at 1-2; Vonage Aug. 13 Ex Parte Letter at 1-2; Minnesota Statewide 911 Program Comments at 4.

152 In offering its “911” capability to its customers, Vonage has provided the Commission information regarding how and what it tells its customers about its limited 911 capabilities such that its customers are fully aware of those limitations when they subscribe to the service and clearly understand that it is not a comparable emergency service to the 911 capability they obtain with local exchange service. We fully expect Vonage to continue providing customers information such as this about its “911” capability. See Vonage Oct. 1 Ex Parte Letter at 3-4 & Exhibit 10.

153 See Letter from William B. Wilhelm, Jr. and Ronald W. Del Sesto, Jr., Counsel for Vonage, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, WC Docket Nos. 03-211, 04-36, at 1 (filed Oct. 14, 2004).

154 We look beyond Vonage’s efforts of today, however, toward work that remains to be done in the area of 911 and the opportunities that this new technology presents for public safety. To that end, we are aware of the six principles NENA has advanced: (1) establish a national E911 VoIP policy; (2) encourage vendor and technology neutral solutions and innovation; (3) retain consumer service quality expectations; (4) support dynamic, flexible, open architecture system design process for 911; (5) develop policies for 911 compatible with the commercial environment for IP communications; and (6) promote a fully funded 911 system. See National Emergency Number Association, E9-1-1, Internet Protocol & Emergency Communications, Press Release ( Mar. 22, 2004). We applaud NENA’s vision in establishing these principles to support a process to “promote a fully functional 9-1-1 system that responds any time, anywhere from every device.” See id.. We endorse these principles because they provide a sound blueprint for the development of a national 911 solution for VoIP services and we encourage all VoIP providers and industry participants to work toward their realization.

155 We note that nothing in this Order addressing the Commission’s jurisdictional determination of or regulatory treatment of particular retail IP-enabled services impacts competitive LEC access to the underlying facilities on which such retail services ride. See Letter from Jason D. Oxman, General Counsel, Association for Local Telecommunications Services, to Marlene Dortch, Secretary, FCC, WC Docket Nos. 04-29, 04-36 (filed Nov. 2, 2004).

156 See supra note 46.

157 See New York Preliminary Injunction at 3. We note that Vonage’s “emergency 911 calling service” is not a service that is provided pursuant to the New York Commission’s rules or any other state commission’s rules. This is a service Vonage has voluntarily undertaken in response to consumer demand.

158 See New York Preliminary Injunction at 4.

159 We recognize that Vonage’s 911 capability relies on the cooperation of its customers in accurately registering and re-registering their user location when they move about with the service.

160 See IP-Enabled Services Proceeding, 19 FCC Rcd at 4897-901, paras. 51-57.

Vonage Holdings Corporation Petition for Declaratory Ruling Concerning an Order of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, WC Docket No. 03-211, Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC Nov. 12, 2004)


Impact of IP Telephony on Public Safety: In California, years of state funded improvements have been made to 911 service to enable telecommunications providers and first responders to ensure the safety of California customers. In addition, law enforcement utilizes its right under federal law to monitor telecommunications services to combat criminal activity. Exempting VoIP providers from regulation raises concerns about public safety and law enforcement activities in local communities. On the other hand, VoIP technologies offer the possibility to provide more detailed emergency information about some user locations, e.g. PBX users, than available with current technology.
-- Order instituting investigation on the Commission's own motion to determine the extent to which the public utility telephone service known as Voice over Internet Protocol should be exempted from regulatory requirements, CA PUC February 11, 2004



10. One final word on this subject: now that this commission has backed off on regulating VoIP - at least until the FCC acts - VoIP providers should seek free market solutions to intercarrier compensation and 911 service issues.  When a VoIP call touches the Publicly Switched Telephone Network, there should be compensation to the network owner - at a rate agreed to by willing market participants.  Resolving the 911-service issue is even more important.  VoIP providers should not have to worry that agreeing to contract with a Basic Emergency Service Provider (in Colorado, Qwest) to offer customary 911 services will somehow suck it into regulation, at least in this state.  I strongly encourage VoIP providers to work out 911-service and intercarrier compensation agreements, to show that they are good corporate citizens.  And to show that traditional regulation is not necessary.
--In The Matter Of The Investigation Into Voice Over Internet Protocol (Voip) Services, Docket No. 03M-220T, Order Closing Docket ¶ 8 ( Colorado PUC Dec. 17, 2003) (Chairman Gregory E. Sopkin Specially Concurring)

In order to formulate an informed, consistent regulatory policy, the Commission would like to obtain information about VOIP activity in Michigan . The Commission, therefore, requests comments on VOIP activity in Michigan on the following topics that may be affected by both state and federal law:
. . .
d. Access to emergency calling, including VOIP end users' unrestricted access to 9-1-1 , non-carrier charges for 9-1-1 access, and public safety answering points costs to geographically locate VOIP callers and provide a call back number.
. . .
g. The ability of VOIP services to provide abbreviated dialing (2-1-1, 3-1-1, 4-1-1, 7-1-1) programs and toll-free dialing (1+800) to end users.
-- -- U-14073 - Commission's Own Motion (investigation of VOIP) - (MI PUC 3/16/2004 ) HTML | PDF


Should VoIP subscribers pay state and local emergency 911/E-911 surcharges since they make use of emergency response services.... Can VoIP providers provide subscribers with E911/911emergency service that is equivalent to that provided by traditional local exchange carriers? If not, what level of E911/911 emergency service is adequate to protect the health and safety of VoIP subscribers and others 22 who may use their telephones in an emergency?
-- In Re Vonage Holding Company Petition for a Declaratory Ruling Concerning the Order of the Minnesota PUC, WC Docket No. 03-211, Comments of the NY AG (Nov. 21, 2003)

 Power Emergency

In addition, VOIP service relies on customer premises equipment which depends on a continuous power supply to remain reliable. Thus, to the extent that customers replace their conventional voice service with VoIP service, customers may not be aware that VoIP service could be terminated during a power outage, absent power back-up systems present on the PSTN.
-- Order instituting investigation on the Commission's own motion to determine the extent to which the public utility telephone service known as Voice over Internet Protocol should be exempted from regulatory requirements, CA PUC February 11, 2004 http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/published/agenda_decision/33960.htm

In order to formulate an informed, consistent regulatory policy, the Commission would like to obtain information about VOIP activity in Michigan . The Commission, therefore, requests comments on VOIP activity in Michigan on the following topics that may be affected by both state and federal law:
...
h. Other technical issues, such as internet virus potential, power outage risks, consumer protections including privacy, quality of service, and accessibility by local, state and federal law enforcement.
-- -- U-14073 - Commission's Own Motion (investigation of VOIP) - (MI PUC 3/16/2004 ) HTML | PDF

 Wiretaps / CALEA

The Department of Justice has informed the Commission that it plans to file a petition for rulemaking asking the Commission to initiate a comprehensive rulemaking to address law enforcement's needs relative to CALEA. The Commission recognizes the importance of ensuring that law enforcement's requirements are fully addressed. The Commission takes seriously the issues raised by law enforcement agencies concerning lawfully authorized wiretaps. Accordingly, the Commission plans to initiate a rulemaking proceeding in the near future to address the matters we anticipate will be raised by law enforcement, including the scope of services that are covered, who bears responsibility for compliance, the wiretap capabilities required by law enforcement, and acceptable compliance standards. Our decision in this Order does not prejudice the outcome of our proceeding on CALEA. See Letter from John G. Malcolm, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket Nos. 02-33, 95-20, & 98-10; CS Docket No. 02-52; WC Docket Nos. 03-45, 03-211, & 02-361 (filed Feb. 6, 2004); see also Letter from Patrick W. Kelley, Deputy General Counsel, FBI, to John Rogovin, General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket Nos. 97-213, 02-33, 95-20, & 98-10; CS Docket No. 02-52; WC Docket Nos. 02-361, 03-45, 03-211, 03-251 & 03-266 (filed Jan. 28, 2004); DOJ/FBI Comments at 2-3.
-- In re Petition for Declaratory Ruling that pulver.com's Free World Dialup is Neither Telecommunications Nor a Telecommunications Service, WC Docket No. 03-45, Memorandum Opinion And Order  n. 24 (FCC February 19, 2004)


Impact of IP Telephony on Public Safety: In California, years of state funded improvements have been made to 911 service to enable telecommunications providers and first responders to ensure the safety of California customers. In addition, law enforcement utilizes its right under federal law to monitor telecommunications services to combat criminal activity. Exempting VoIP providers from regulation raises concerns about public safety and law enforcement activities in local communities. On the other hand, VoIP technologies offer the possibility to provide more detailed emergency information about some user locations, e.g. PBX users, than available with current technology.
-- Order instituting investigation on the Commission's own motion to determine the extent to which the public utility telephone service known as Voice over Internet Protocol should be exempted from regulatory requirements, CA PUC February 11, 2004 http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/published/agenda_decision/33960.htm


The Commission is obligated by Section 229(a) of the Communications Act to adopt all rules necessary to fulfill the goals of CALEA, including the goal of adapting lawful electronic surveillance to advanced technologies such as VoIP.11 The Commission must therefore require VoIP providers to comply with CALEA through formal rules regardless of whether some providers would comply voluntarily.12
. . . . .
CALEA implementation is hardly ripe for deregulation, given the current state of CALEA readiness in the VoIP industry. Industry suffers from widespread confusion over which VoIP entities and services are subject to CALEA, which Section 10313 capabilities are required, and just as importantly, by what deadlines. Industry and Law Enforcement have debated many of these issues in certain standard-setting proceedings, but the ultimate arbiters of such matters are the Commission and the courts.14
    Without firm Commission guidance, industry could unilaterally impose its own concept of appropriate assistance capabilities, leaving law enforcement shortchanged. Equally disturbing is the risk that industry cooperation may arrive too late for many
criminal investigations. CALEA solutions for VoIP are needed upon initiation of service, not at some unknown future date.
--- In re The Commission's December 1, 2003, Voice Over  IP Forum, WC Docket Nos. 03-211, 02-361, and 03-35, Joint Comments Of The United States Department Of Justice, The United States Drug Enforcement Administration, And The Federal Bureau Of Investigation (Dec. 15, 2003) http://www.fcc.gov/voip/comments/USDOJ-DEA-FBI.pdf

"12. . . . Section 102(8)(C) of the definition specifically excludes information services, and the legislative history makes clear that CALEA does not apply to private network services:

"Telecommunications Services that support the transport or switching of commmunications for private networks or for the sole purpose of interconnecting telecommunications carriers . . . need not meet any wiretap standards. PBXs are excluded. So are automated teller machine (ATM) networks and other closed networks. Also excluded from coverage are all information services, such as Internet service providers or services such as prodigy or America Online."

13. We also conclude that CALEA's definitions of "telecommunications carriers" and "information services" were not modified by the 1996 Act, and that the CALEA definitions therefore remain in force for purposes of CALEA.

. . .

27. Where facilities are used solely to provide an information service, whether offered by an exclusively-IS provider or a common carrier that has established a dedicated IS-system apart from the telecommunications system, we find that such facilities are not subject to CALEA. Where facilities are used to provide both telecommunications and information services, however, such joint-use facilities are subject to CALEA in order to ensure the ability to surveil the telecommunications services.

-- In the matter of Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, CC Docket 97-213, Second Report and Order, (August 31, 1999)



See also In the matter of Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, CC Docket 97-213, Third Report and Order, ¶¶ 47 - 54 (August 31, 1999) (discussing CALEA obligations for packet-mode communications)

In order to formulate an informed, consistent regulatory policy, the Commission would like to obtain information about VOIP activity in Michigan . The Commission, therefore, requests comments on VOIP activity in Michigan on the following topics that may be affected by both state and federal law:
...
h. Other technical issues, such as internet virus potential, power outage risks, consumer protections including privacy, quality of service, and accessibility by local, state and federal law enforcement.
-- -- U-14073 - Commission's Own Motion (investigation of VOIP) - (MI PUC 3/16/2004 ) HTML | PDF


C. State and Federal Law Enforcement Needs Must Be Safeguarded
The implications of Vonage’s and other VoIP offerings for federal agencies’ law enforcement and national security activities were well presented in the DOJ-FBI joint filing. Carrier compliance with statutory requirements for telecommunications providers to cooperate
with lawful governmental investigatory efforts to monitor calls and capture relevant call routing and other data is also critically important to investigations conducted by state and local prosecutors and police. For example, the NYSAG’s Organized Crime Task Force has devoted
substantial effort and capital to access facilities of numerous local exchange carriers and wireless carriers to effect its investigations of major crimes. State and local law enforcement activities would be compromised if the FCC does not require Vonage and other VoIP providers to comply with the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.
--In Re Vonage Holding Company Petition for a Declaratory Ruling Concerning the Order of the Minnesota PUC, WC Docket No. 03-211, Comments of the NY AG (Nov. 21, 2003)

 Voluntary CALEA

A Commission Decision to Implement CALEA Based on Voluntary Efforts Would Harm the Public Interest
As a matter of public policy, CALEA is vital to national security, law enforcement, and public safety. Such a critically important statute should not be left to mere voluntary efforts. Of course, some VoIP providers may have already installed CALEA solutions, in which case their cooperation is greatly appreciated, but others may not be such good corporate citizens. The success of CALEA depends on consistent implementation, and in any event, leaving CALEA to voluntary efforts would effectively punish the good corporate citizens by placing them at a competitive disadvantage to those who choose not to cooperate. Furthermore, under a voluntary CALEA compliance scheme, law enforcement would have no enforcement mechanism against those VoIP providers who do not cooperate.
. . . .
D. VoIP Providers Lack Commercial Incentives to Assist Law Enforcement In the past, telecommunications carriers have complied with certain federal mandates in a manner that creates commercial opportunities. 15 However, the VoIP industry has yet to announce any initiatives that might spark commercial incentives to assist law enforcement, let alone reduce the need for CALEA regulation. If anything, VoIP providers may unintentionally benefit from half-hearted CALEA implementation because terrorists, spies, and criminals typically flock to the modes of communication most likely to evade lawful electronic surveillance. Therefore, the Commission must adopt VoIP-specific CALEA rules that are rigorous enough to ensure that this does not occur.
E. CALEA Already Contains Provisions that Accommodate the Business
Needs of Emerging Services Such as VoIP Some VoIP providers claim traditional regulation may frustrate the growth of
their nascent industry. In the case of CALEA, however, this concern has already been addressed. Specifically, under CALEA, law enforcement may not "prohibit the adoption of any equipment, facility, service, or feature by any provider of a wire or electronic communications service . . . . "16 Moreover, CALEA grants industry broad discretion to design surveillance solutions as it sees fit.17 Even after the solution design stage, if a carrier still finds CALEA compliance is not "reasonably achievable," it may seek special regulatory relief.18 For these reasons, the Commission need not make the CALEA mandate any more flexible than already provided under the statute.
--- In re The Commission's December 1, 2003, Voice Over  IP Forum, WC Docket Nos. 03-211, 02-361, and 03-35, Joint Comments Of The United States Department Of Justice, The United States Drug Enforcement Administration, And The Federal Bureau Of Investigation (Dec. 15, 2003) http://www.fcc.gov/voip/comments/USDOJ-DEA-FBI.pdf

 Consumer Protection

Impact of IP Telephony on Consumer Protection: Regardless of the type of telecommunications service they use, customers expect that basic consumer protections will be in place to safeguard their interests. For example, consumers expect clear and legible bills, access to live representatives to discuss billing and other questions, reasonable advance notice for termination of service, protection of proprietary information, and protection against cramming. VoIP providers are currently not being required to comply with Commission adopted regulations.
-- Order instituting investigation on the Commission's own motion to determine the extent to which the public utility telephone service known as Voice over Internet Protocol should be exempted from regulatory requirements, CA PUC February 11, 2004 http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/published/agenda_decision/33960.htm


 

E.g., New York requires carriers to participate in the Public Service Commission's customer dispute resolution programs, and to suspend termination of service for nonpayment of amounts in dispute until the matter is resolved. 16 New York Code Rules and Regulations ("NYCRR") § 633.16 and Part 12. Vonage's customer agreement denies subscribers such protections, and instead requires binding commercial arbitration which may cost consumers more than the amount in dispute. Vonage Customer Agreement ¶ 6.1. Vonage's Customer Agreement asserts the provider's right to terminate service at any time if its charges are not paid in full.
Vonage Customer Agreement ¶ 4.3. New York also requires carriers to provide consumers a minimum suspension/termination notice period and prevents termination of service to customers with medical emergencies. 16 NYCRR §§ 633.4 - 633.8.
-- In re Vonage Holdings Corporation Petition for Declaratory Ruling Concerning an Order of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, WC Docket No. 03-211, Reply Comments Of Eliot Spitzer Attorney General Of The State Of New York  n. 21 (November 21, 2003) http://www.oag.state.ny.us/telecommunications/filings/fcc_vonage_voip_petition.pdf


In order to formulate an informed, consistent regulatory policy, the Commission would like to obtain information about VOIP activity in Michigan . The Commission, therefore, requests comments on VOIP activity in Michigan on the following topics that may be affected by both state and federal law:
...
h. Other technical issues, such as internet virus potential, power outage risks, consumer protections including privacy, quality of service, and accessibility by local, state and federal law enforcement.
-- -- U-14073 - Commission's Own Motion (investigation of VOIP) - (MI PUC 3/16/2004 ) HTML | PDF


Although Vonage presents its DigitalSmart S M service as a substitute for traditional local and long distance telephone service, 18 there are a number of significant differences between the service Vonage provides and the service local exchange carriers are required to provide in New
York and other states. If VoIP providers are classified as information services or otherwise exempted by the FCC from state regulatory requirements, then their VoIP subscribers may be denied some or all of the following list of customer protections.
Should VoIP providers be required to facilitate communications with consumers having hearing or other physical disabilities that require use of telephone relay or other special services?
Should VoIP providers be required to provide subscribers optional blocking of pay-per- call services 19 and non-telecommunications services to prevent such charges from being incurred
Should VoIP providers be required to provide subscribers optional blocking of caller-ID service to restrict access to their telephone numbers as some states’ regulations require of other providers? 20
How would classification of VoIP as either a telecommunications service or an information service affect VoIP providers’ obligation to comply with various state statutory and regulatory consumer protection policies?
. . .
What level of minimum telephone service quality standards should be applied to VoIPWhat level of minimum telephone service quality standards should be applied to VoIP providers given the differing technologies among VoIP providers and their distinctions from
traditional switched telephone services? 23
What procedures should VoIP providers be required to follow to facilitate smooth migration of customers between VoIP and non-VoIP providers to ensure that customers do not lose dial tone in the process? 24
Furthermore, where a VoIP carrier goes out of business or leaves a particular market, what protections should apply to facilitate transfer of all its subscribers to new providers without service interruption? 2
-- In Re Vonage Holding Company Petition for a Declaratory Ruling Concerning the Order of the Minnesota PUC, WC Docket No. 03-211, Comments of the NY AG (Nov. 21, 2003)

 Access by Individuals with Disabilities

Discussion. Upon further analysis, we conclude that section 225 does not prohibit us from requiring relay services to accommodate enhanced or information services. We find that section 225 does not limit relay service to telecommunications services, but rather, to the contrary, expressly reaches enhanced or information services. In fact, section 225 specifically defines TRS as a service that "provides the ability for an individual who has a hearing impairment or speech impairment to engage in communication by wire or radio . in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of an individual who does not have [such an]. impairment to communicate using voice communication services by wire or radio." Communication by wire and radio encompasses both telecommunications and information or enhanced services. Both "communication by wire" and "communication by radio" are broad terms defined in section 3 of the Communications Act. They are not limited to telecommunications services, but include "the transmission .of writing, signs, signals, pictures and sounds of all kinds.including all instrumentalities, facilities, apparatus, and services (among other things, the receipt, forwarding, and delivery of communications) incidental to such transmission." This latter definition sweeps broadly and extends to information services, as defined in section 3(2) of the Act.
-- In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98-67, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, ¶ 88 (March 6, 2000).


 

    78. We decline to expand the meaning of "telecommunications services" to include information services for purposes of section 255, as urged by some commenters. In the NPRM, we recognized that under our interpretation of these terms, some important and widely used services, such as voicemail and electronic mail, would fall outside the scope of section 255 because they are considered information services. We conclude, however, that we may not reinterpret the definition of telecommunications services, either for purposes of section 255 only or for all Title II regulation. First, we emphasize that the term "information services" is defined separately in the Act. As we noted in the NPRM, there was no indication in the legislative history of the 1996 Act that Congress intended these terms to have any different, specialized meaning for purposes of accessibility.
    79. Furthermore, in a Report to Congress that was released subsequent to the NPRM, we reiterated the distinction between information services and telecommunications services. Specifically, we found that "Congress intended [that] the categories of `telecommunications service' and `information service' to be mutually exclusive, like the definitions of 'basic service' and 'enhanced service' developed in our Computer II proceeding, and the definitions of 'telecommunications' and 'information service' developed in the Modification of Final Judgment that divested the Bell Operating Companies from AT&T." While we decline here to redefine the meaning of telecommunications services, either for purposes of section 255 or more broadly, we do think it is appropriate, as we discuss below, to use ofur ancillary jurisdiction to extend to certain non-telecommunications services accessibility obligations that mirror those under section 255 in order to effectuate Congress' intent that we make telecommunications services accessible.
    107. On this same basis, however, we decline to extend accessibility obligations to any other information services. While some commenters have argued that there is an overwhelming need for all information services to be accessible to people with disabilities, we assess the record differently, and use our discretion to reach only those services we find essential to making telecommunications services accessible. Unlike voicemail and interactive menus, other information services discussed by commenters do not have the potential to render telecommunications services themselves inaccessible. Therefore, we decline to exercise our ancillary jurisdiction over those additional services. Many of these other services are alternatives to telecommunications services, but not essential to their effective use. For example, e-mail, electronic information services, and web pages are alternative ways to receive information which can also be received over the phone using telecommunications services. In contrast, inaccessible and unusable voicemail and interactive menus operate in a manner that can render the telecommunications service itself inaccessible and unusable.
    108. Our assertion of ancillary jurisdiction is thus discrete and limited. Consequently, we dismiss the contention that including even a single information service under our accessibility and usability rules could lead to the full-scale regulation of entities providing information services, such as Internet Service Providers. Nor can we credit the argument that extension of these provisions through ancillary jurisdiction will chill innovation, resulting in less accessibility not more. We do emphasize, however, that our decision to apply these accessibility obligations to two discrete information services does not alter the regulatory classification afforded these services. Nor is it our intent by this action to apply any additional provisions of the Act to providers and manufacturers of voicemail and interactive menu services and equipment. Thus, as a general matter, we are not altering our past or current treatment of information services.
-- In the matter of the Implementation of Sections 255 and 251(a)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934, as Enacted by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, WT Docket No. 96-198, Report And Order And Further Notice Of Inquiry (September 29, 1999) (footnote numbering off).


Should VoIP providers be required to facilitate communications with consumers having hearing or other physical disabilities that require use of telephone relay or other special services?
-- In Re Vonage Holding Company Petition for a Declaratory Ruling Concerning the Order of the Minnesota PUC, WC Docket No. 03-211, Comments of the NY AG (Nov. 21, 2003)

 NANP

Impact of VoIP on Numbering Resources: Federal and state regulators have been successful in slowing the explosive growth of new area codes. Each new area code places additional costs on businesses, adds complexity to the lives of residential consumers, and is inconvenient for all telephone customers. Under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) leadership, California has developed an effective set of rules that ensure that telecommunications providers receive the number they need and makes telecommunications providers efficiently utilize the number they have. VoIP providers currently utilize telephone numbers, but under FCC rules, they do not currently have to comply with protocols under the NANP, thereby potentially undercutting the concerted effort of regulators and carriers subject to the plan to manage scarce numbering resources.
    In many ways, the issues presented by VoIP mirror those once presented by wireless providers. Wireless providers, like VoIP providers, offer nationwide service that is portable to the subscriber. Wireless providers, however, register with the California Public Utilities Commission, contribute to state (and federal) universal service programs, pay access charges for interconnection with the PSTN, are required to provide E911 service, and must comply with NANP protocols.
-- Order instituting investigation on the Commission's own motion to determine the extent to which the public utility telephone service known as Voice over Internet Protocol should be exempted from regulatory requirements, CA PUC February 11, 2004 http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/published/agenda_decision/33960.htm

In order to formulate an informed, consistent regulatory policy, the Commission would like to obtain information about VOIP activity in Michigan . The Commission, therefore, requests comments on VOIP activity in Michigan on the following topics that may be affected by both state and federal law:
. . .
c. Information regarding the effect of VOIP on telephone numbering resources, including non-licensed VOIP providers' access to numbering resources through licensed telecommunication carriers and VOIP end users' ability to port their current landline or wireless telephone number to their VOIP equipment.
-- U-14073 - Commission's Own Motion (investigation of VOIP) - (MI PUC 3/16/2004 ) HTML | PDF

Security

In order to formulate an informed, consistent regulatory policy, the Commission would like to obtain information about VOIP activity in Michigan . The Commission, therefore, requests comments on VOIP activity in Michigan on the following topics that may be affected by both state and federal law:
...
h. Other technical issues, such as internet virus potential, power outage risks, consumer protections including privacy, quality of service, and accessibility by local, state and federal law enforcement.
-- -- U-14073 - Commission's Own Motion (investigation of VOIP) - (MI PUC 3/16/2004 ) HTML | PDF

Forebearance

"Finally, under section 10 of the Act, we have authority to forbear from imposing any rule or requirement of the Act on telecommunications carriers. We will need to consider carefully whether, pursuant to our authority under section 10 of the Act, to forbear from imposing any of the rules that would apply to phone-to-phone IP telephony providers as "telecommunications carriers."" -- In re Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, Report to Congress, FCC 98-67 ¶ 92 (April 10, 1998).
 
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