FCC Says VoIP Must Pay Universal Access Fee

VoIP won't be so cheap anymore: the Federal Communication Commission has ordered Internet-based phone services to pay into the Universal Service Fund, just like "real" phone compani

The Federal Communication Commission has ruled (PDF) that companies which provide Internet-based telephony (VoIP) services must pay a portion of their revenue to the Universal Service Fund, which subsidized telephone and emergency services to low-income and rural areas, as well as communications and Internet access for hospitals, emergency services, schools, and libraries.

Under the interim regulations adopted by the FCC, interconnected VoIP providers