-----Original Message----- From: Claudio Gutierrez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 10:22:14 To:Dave Farber <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Job loss warning over web phone call rules
Michael Powell, Federal Communications Commission chairman, on Tuesday warned that excessive regulation of telephone calls made over the internet could cause job losses in the US. This month the FCC began proceedings to determine how to regulate Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, which allows consumers to make telephone calls over the internet, sometimes completely bypassing traditional telephone wires. Mr Powell argues that a minimally regulated environment would benefit consumers by furthering investment in the nascent technology. But on Tuesday he attempted to bolster the case for light regulation, saying that a "hostile" regulatory regime for VoIP would drive US companies overseas. His remarks come as lawmakers focus on the issue of outsourcing overseas and US companies relocating abroad as the November elections approach. Testifying before the Senate commerce committee, he added that the FCC would lose jurisdiction if companies moved offshore. <snip> Mr Powell told the committee that VoIP was helping to reinvigorate the telecoms sector, but cautioned that regulatory uncertainty was one of the clouds hanging over the industry. He added that VoIP was changing the face of telecommunications as traditional telephone companies begin to roll out VoIP packages. "Not only are they going to [move towards VoIP], they have to," said Mr Powell. "If you're not, you're going to get crushed." http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1075982792922&p=1012571727260&ExpIgnore=true -- Claudio Guti�rrez Business Improvement Ltda. http://www.improvement.cl ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as [EMAIL PROTECTED] To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
