A hands-off approach to VoIP regulation would maintain...
A hands-off approach to VoIP regulation would maintain a regulatory environment in North Dakota that encourages broadband investment and delivers VoIP and other communications services that bring “investment and economic growth” to the state, John Stephenson, American Legislative Exchange Council…
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communications and technology task force director, told the North Dakota Information Technology Committee Tuesday (http://1.usa.gov/19fsz2b). ALEC adopted a model policy in 2007 (http://bit.ly/18kESMd) that exempts interconnected VoIP service from state utility regulation, while preserving the rights and responsibilities for states and providers and recognizing the FCC’s jurisdiction, said Stephenson. “If each state applied its own utility laws to VoIP, which include requirements such as PUC authority to provide the services, carrier of last resort obligations and tariffs with pre-approval for service changes, the increased costs on providers and ultimately consumers would be substantial.” Twenty-nine states and the FCC have recognized the “continued investment in communications technology and services is at risk” if VoIP faces an “uncertain” regulatory future, said Stephenson. “Legislatures across the country have made clear that they believe the competitive marketplace, not legacy telephone regulations, are capable of ensuring service availability, quality, and reliability for consumers into the future."