Internet Public Policy and VoIP

1
Internet Public Policy and VoIP

• ECO 235
• Dr. David Loomis

2
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

3
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.

4
IP-to-IP services

• Free World Dialup pulver.com
• Computer to computer
• Service is not location specific, doesnt use
  telephone numbers, indistiguishable from other
  Internet applications that use SIP.
• No FCC or state regulation

5
PSTN-to-PSTN

• Uses private Internet backbone to provide part of
  the call over the long distance network
• ATT wanted these calls exempt from access
  charges
• FCC said no!

6
IP-to-PSTN

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

7
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?