FCC's Michael Powell Prefers Light Rules on Net Telephony
By ELLEN SHENG
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
March 22, 2004 12:17 p.m.
ATLANTA -- Michael Powell, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, called for a "light regulatory touch" on voice over Internet protocol, or VOIP, technology.
"I think the government will take a hands-off approach to it," he said, speaking to several thousand wireless industry professionals at the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association's annual meeting.
The FCC in December kicked off a year-long public dialogue on VOIP, giving the public an opportunity to air their opinions about appropriate regulations for the emerging technology. VOIP, which transmits voice over the Internet, has thus far avoided regulations and taxes which generally apply to telecommunications companies.
Companies such as Vonage, a closely held company offering phone service through VOIP, have been vocal about keeping regulations at bay, arguing that government control would hamper development and innovation.
Voice over IP is the most disruptive technology to come along in a while, Mr. Powell said. But he said the technology's full potential is best realized when it is seen as an Internet application, and not merely as a voice application. The chairman also said he saw VOIP as complementary to wireless technology. |
