Transcript Internet Public Policy and VoIP

Internet Public Policy and
VoIP
Dr. David Loomis
Monopoly Leverage
Open Access – Cable Modems and
multiple ISPs
Net Neutrality – network providers do not
favor one application over another
Unbundling/line sharing/Next Generation
Networks
Voice over Internet Protocol
VoIP
“Diverse family of voice applications that,
on one or both ends of a “call,” ride on top
of the Internet protocol, whether on the
public Internet itself or on private
(“managed”) IP networks” p. 191.
IP-to-IP services
Free World Dialup – pulver.com
Computer to computer
Service is not location specific, doesn’t
use telephone numbers, indistiguishable
from other Internet applications that use
SIP.
No FCC or state regulation
PSTN-to-PSTN
Uses private Internet backbone to provide
part of the call over the long distance
network
AT&T wanted these calls exempt from
access charges
FCC said no!
IP-to-PSTN
Vonage
Plug ordinary phone into Vonage-provided
adapter which is plugged into a braodband
connection
Adapter communicates with Vonage’s
server
Calls to PSTN customers dropped off on
PSTN after converting from IP packets
IP-PSTN Issues
Not location specific – what is long
distance?
State versus federal jusrisdiction
(Minnesota PUC orders Vonage to “act”
like a phone company
Is Vonage service an information service
or a telephone service?