Congratulations, Jeff !
Voice On Net Coalition Announces Incorporation;
Leading Computer and Telecommunications Companies Unite to Represent the IP
Telephony Industry, Hold First Member Meeting
WASHINGTON, DC--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 1998--Twenty two Internet
leaders today announced the official launch of the Voice on Net (VON) Coalition as
an incorporated non profit organization. Originally formed two years ago, the VON
Coalition intends to continue to recommend action on regulation and legislation that
affects public policy of the Voice on the Net industry, and to educate regulators,
legislators, media and consumers worldwide about VON technologies, products,
benefits, and practices.
Current participants in the VON oalition include Founding members 3COM,
Brooktrout Technology, Cisco Systems, Dialogic, Intel, ITXC, Microsoft, Natural
Microsystems, Netspeak, Polycom, Portal Software, pulver.com, USA Global Link,
and VocalTec Communications, and Members Clarent, Dynamicsoft, Lucent
Technologies, PakNetX, Poptel, Tele Danmark R&D, Vienna Systems and VIP
Calling.
Since its grass roots formation in 1996, the VON Coalition has become the official
moderator for the entire IP telephony industry, and is receiving overwhelming support
from computer and telecommunication industry leaders. The VON Coalition has
created and sponsored dialog between members of the Voice on the Net industry and
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the United States Congress, and the
Clinton-Gore administration. This advocacy role remains a critical responsibility of the
organization, as the FCC is presently evaluating the issue of universal service and IP
telephony regulation. To date, The VON Coalition is the only organization in existence
that educates policymakers about the effects of governmental regulation on the voice
over net industry and recommends specific action on proposed legislation concerning
the industry.
This work is crucial to the future of the industry to ensure it is allowed to grow and
thrive without the restrictions that legislation may impose.
"Regulatory and tax forbearance has made the Internet the success it is," said Tom
Evslin, Chair of the VON Coalition's Policy Committee and Chairman of ITXC. "The
US is a world leader in preventing regulation and new taxation of Internet commerce,
and there is no better example of Internet commerce than an Internet phone call. We
believe it is important to focus on creating a level playing field by deregulating
traditional service providers rather than by regulating new entrants."
The VON Coalition has been instrumental in raising some key issues to the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, (NTIA), the FCC and other key
government agencies. This strong commitment to raise the industry's visibility and
tackle important regulatory issues surrounding IP telephony services are important in
fostering reasoned debate on the important topic of regulation of IP telephony services.
A key aspect of the Coalition's activity is its "Common Ground" meetings, which
facilitate discussion between all IP Telephony communities of interest regarding the
future of VON and bring key industry players together in an open forum. The VON
Coalition also maintains close links with other organizations involved in the industry.
Charter and Priorities
VON Coalition members met for the first time as an incorporated entity on September
15, during the VON Show in Washington, DC to discuss the organization's focus,
initiatives, activities, and to hear legislative
and regulatory updates concerning the voice on the net industry. At this meeting, it was
agreed that the VON Coalition should continue to focus on the development and
promotion of IP telephony as a horizontal technology spanning a wide range of
applications which extend beyond voice only. It was also agreed to actively advocate
the position that the Universal Service Fund is not threatened by IP Telephony. Rather,
the VON Coalition believes that the purposes of the Fund are served by
competition and IP Telephony, which should not carry the same tax, regulatory and
access fees that currently burden traditional switched telephone services. The VON
Coalition intends to take this message to the FCC, the White House, and State Public
Utility Commissions (PUCs).
"IP Telephony is the first Internet application to benefit those who don't have
computers," said Larry Fromm, Chairman of the VON Coalition
and Vice President of New Business Development for Dialogic. "The VON Coalition
actively advocates the view that the IP Telephony industry should remain as free of
governmental regulations as possible. We want to represent all the participants in the
industry and promote the benefits of IP Telephony. It is our hope that all VON
equipment vendors and service providers will work with us to create a united front for
our efforts."
The VON Coalition is structured as an open, non-profit 501(c)(6) organization in
accordance with the laws of the Internal Revenue Code of the USA. The organization
features an active membership, a Board of
Directors that represents the industry, and a structure that emphasizes action. The
1998-99 VON Coalition Board of Directors include Ned Hooper, Cisco Systems,
Inc.; Larry Fromm, Dialogic Corporation; Narjala Bhasker, Intel Corporation; Tom
Evslin, ITXC; Toby Nixon, Microsoft Corporation; Jeff Pulver, pulver.com; and Ido
Ganor, VocalTec Communications, Inc.
"I am extremely pleased with the progress that the VON Coalition has made over the
past two years in fostering the interests of the IP Telephony industry," said Jeff Pulver,
a founder of the VON Coalition.
"I am proud to have helped create and stimulate an organization in an industry with
limitless possibilities, and look forward to IP telephony becoming a bigger and stronger
industry recognized for the benefits it brings consumers and businesses worldwide."
Membership in The VON Coalition is open to any organization that completes a
registration form and pays member dues annually. VON Coalition members receive a
number of benefits, including the opportunity to influence public policy and vote on key
decisions and actions of the VON Coalition; access to the latest worldwide information
regarding the status of IP Telephony; exposure to key industry stakeholders, task
forces and policymakers; and, participation in "Common Ground" meetings, which are
used to facilitate discussion and consensus concerning the future of IP Telephony
technologies and practices. For more VON Coalition information and membership
details, please visit the VON Coalition Web site at von.org. or contact
Deepak Kamlani, Executive Director of the VON Coalition at +1.925.277.8110,
E-mail, dkamlani@inventures.com.
All names, products and services mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks
of their respective organizations.
CONTACT: VON Coalition
Deepak Kamlani, 925/277-8110
dkamlani@inventures.com
Larry Fromm, 973/993-3000 Ext. 6295
L.Fromm@dialogic.com
Jeff Pulver, 516/753-2640
Jeff@pulver.com |
