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( BW)(VOICE-ON-NET-COALITION) Voice On Net Coalition Announces Incorporation; Leading Computer and Telecommunications Companies Unite to Represent the IP Telephony Industry, Hold First Member Meeting
Business Editors/Technology Writers
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 Coalition 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. |
