Poster
07-08-2004, 10:55 AM
Representatives introduced legislation Tuesday that would ban states from taxing or regulating communications technology on the internet. The law, which includes VoIP technology, would classify all IP based transmissions as interstate communications, and thus would be regulated by the FCC. However, the Representatives who introduced the bill don’t believe there is much chance of the bill passing this year in Congress, but brought it up in order to start the process of changing the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
"[We] are seeking to frame the debate over advanced Internet communications regulation, including VoIP regulation, in anticipation of a larger telecommunications overhaul in the Congress beginning in 2005," said Representative Rick Boucher (D-Va.). "By suggesting basic ground rules today, we are hoping to make a substantial contribution to the rewriting of the [Telecommunications Act]."
"Our goal is to treat all advanced IP applications, including VoIP, with a light regulatory touch. Since every Internet user who is equipped for advanced services will have a broad choice of service providers, the services will be highly competitive," Boucher said. "Accordingly, the regulations which have governed monopoly telephone networks should not apply to new competitive Internet-based technology."
For more information see: http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3377611
"[We] are seeking to frame the debate over advanced Internet communications regulation, including VoIP regulation, in anticipation of a larger telecommunications overhaul in the Congress beginning in 2005," said Representative Rick Boucher (D-Va.). "By suggesting basic ground rules today, we are hoping to make a substantial contribution to the rewriting of the [Telecommunications Act]."
"Our goal is to treat all advanced IP applications, including VoIP, with a light regulatory touch. Since every Internet user who is equipped for advanced services will have a broad choice of service providers, the services will be highly competitive," Boucher said. "Accordingly, the regulations which have governed monopoly telephone networks should not apply to new competitive Internet-based technology."
For more information see: http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3377611