This new group seeks to prevent a patchwork of state regulation that would stifle vital technological advancement.
Leading the policy debate regarding the emerging technology of Voice-over-the Internet Protocol (VoIP), which transmits voice communications using the Internet protocol, the Consumer ElectronicsAssociation (CEA) today announced the creation of a VoIP Policy Working Group, which will operate within the CEA Government Affairs Council.
“It is vitally important to ensure that this revolutionary technology is not stifled by over-regulation,” said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. “The success of many new consumer electronics products and other industries’ products depends on the widespread availability of broadband technology. VoIP services clearly will drive the necessary consumer demand for broadband. This new CEA Working Group is committed to ensuring these VoIP services are not hampered by burdensome state and federal regulations.”
As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the United State Congress examine and debate how to regulate VoIP services, the CEA VoIP Policy Working Group will seek a regulatory framework that allows this nascent technology to flourish, while recognizing and addressing important public interest concerns.
Initial CEA VoIP Working Group activities will include the creation of “guiding principles” for policymakers. The group also will examine and respond to questions raised by the FCC in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on IP-enabled services, which seeks comments on the appropriate regulatory treatment of Internet services.
The NPRM specifically asks which regulatory requirements – for example, those relating to E911, disability accessibility, access charges and universal service – should be extended to different types of Internet services. The NPRM also asks for comments on the legal and regulatory framework for each type of Internet service and the relevant jurisdictional considerations for each category. CEA’s VoIP Policy Working Group will file comments by the May 28 deadline.
