RE: Today's FCC Ruling

["Carl Ford" <>]

Sorry for delay comments in line...

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Blair 
[mailto:]
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 10:20 AM
To: 

Cc: Ben Teitelbaum; wg-pic; VoIP Working Group
Subject: Re: Today's FCC Ruling



 Dear Mr. Ford:

   Thank you for this note. It is always helpful to hear what is going
on around the industry. Your note reminds me of a question about
which I'd like to hear your answer.

Danger - I am not a lawyer nor do I play one anywhere.  I am a guy who is
use to telecom regulation from a carriers perspective.  That is my strength.

    Many of the discussions about VoIP regulation gloss over the
fact that a conversation can take place between video conferencing
units/software using the same codecs and dialing mechanics often
used from an IP phone.  Does the FCC or proponents of regulating
VoIP have an opinion on regulating audio conversations conducted
over IP using "video conferencing" equipment and software?

No one has shared a specific concern about video with me....but
If so
can you share some of those opinions?

The FBI / DOJ has been very successful in being quiet as the wireless
industry has offered more and more to get approval from them.  I believe
that until recently they thought that their best approach with VoIP.
However, I think they are finally believing us when we say that voice and
facility are becoming seperate elements to manage.  I believe they will seek
new conditions that could effect video, voice and email.

Supposedly they are finally going to talk to us as an industry at Spring
VON.  We will see if it happens.

Kind Regards,

carl






Thank you,
Steve Blair


Carl Ford wrote:

>Hey Ben and VoIP WG.
>
>I just wanted to say that this victory is not complete.
>
>A few of the commissioners are trying to put a CALEA role on the apps side.
>
>Our best solution would have been to be in limbo.  Neither telecom nor
>telecom service, but not and information service.
>Personally I liked Verizons statement that it all VoIP is Interstate best.
>
>After the victory we went to the hill.  The talk is all about a revision of
>the telecom act of 96.  Jurisdiction and Definitions may be revised and of
>course there will be lobbying by many powerfull players.  We are trying to
>get all of the appropriate computer / Internet types on the same page down
>in WDC for these upcoming conversations.
>
>If you have people who are like minded about the future of the Internet
>please tell them of our efforts.
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ben Teitelbaum 
>[mailto:]
>Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:39 PM
>To: wg-pic; VoIP Working Group
>Subject: Today's FCC Ruling
>
>
>Looks like we can all breath a little easier today and sleep a little
>more soundly tonight.  Computer-to-computer VoIP will remain largely
>unregulated in the US, giving us space to develop and deploy advanced
>IP voice communications applications.  For services that interoperate
>with the PSTN, things are murkier and less settled.
>
>Any comments from VoIPers or PICers who were present at the
>proceedings in DC (or who just watched the RealMedia feed)?
>
>Some pointers:
>
>FCC's VoIP Page
>http://fcc.gov/voip/
>
>CNET Article
>http://news.com.com/2100-7352_3-5158105.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news
>
>NYTimes Article
>http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/12/technology/12CND-NET.html
>
>Jeff Pulver's Blog
>http://192.246.69.231/jeff/personal/
>
>-- ben
>
>
>
>