Internet Public Policy and VoIP Dr. David Loomis

Monopoly Leverage Open Access – Cable Modems and multiple ISPs Net Neutrality – network providers do not favor one application over another Unbundling/line sharing/Next Generation Networks

Voice over Internet Protocol VoIP “Diverse family of voice applications that, on one or both ends of a “call,” ride on top of the Internet protocol, whether on the public Internet itself or on private (“managed”) IP networks” p. 191.

IP-to-IP services Free World Dialup – pulver.com Computer to computer Service is not location specific, doesn’t use telephone numbers, indistiguishable from other Internet applications that use SIP. No FCC or state regulation

PSTN-to-PSTN Uses private Internet backbone to provide part of the call over the long distance network AT&T wanted these calls exempt from access charges FCC said no!

IP-to-PSTN Vonage Plug ordinary phone into Vonage-provided adapter which is plugged into a braodband connection Adapter communicates with Vonage’s server Calls to PSTN customers dropped off on PSTN after converting from IP packets

IP-PSTN Issues Not location specific – what is long distance? State versus federal jusrisdiction (Minnesota PUC orders Vonage to “act” like a phone company Is Vonage service an information service or a telephone service?