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June 05, 2005

Is the FCC's Definition of "Interconnected VoIP Services" in its VoIP E911 Order Overbroad?

First of all, I must preface this blog with one caveat: I am not an attorney and I hope none of you take what I say as a legal conclusion.

There is now a lot of debate in the Blogsphere about whether or not the new US VoIP E911 rules currently apply to instances where a user has combined an inbound and an outbound service offering on one computer, PDA or other communications device. It is my hope that the FCC's E911 rules for Interconnected VoIP providers do not extend to services that no user would expect to offer localized emergency response capabilities, such as a circumstance where a computer has both SkypeIn and SkypeOut downloaded. (Should the Asian tourist in America with SkypeIn and SkypeOut on her computer be precluded from using these worthwhile applications?) Frankly, we had been led to believe by the FCC that the rules currently would not apply to such combinations. Perhaps this is wishful thinking, and I have no doubt that some might try to squeeze such combinations into the definition set forth in the FCC Order. According to the FCC,

"An interconnected Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service is a service
that: (1) enables real-time, two-way voice communications; (2) requires a
broadband connection from the user's location; (3) requires Internet
protocol-compatible customer premises equipment (CPE); and (4) permits users
generally to receive calls that originate on the public switched telephone
network and to terminate calls to the public switched telephone network."

So, does this include SkypeIn/Out? Surely the FCC could not have intended this result. During our ex parte meetings with the FCC, we got every indication that, at least for now, such combinations were not the intend target of the FCC VoIP E911 Order. In fact, the Notice attached to the Order specifically asks what rules should apply to services that are not "fully interconnected". The FCC asks:

". . . what E911 obligations, if any, should apply to VoIP services that are
not fully interconnected to the PSTN? Specifically, should E911 obligations
apply to VoIP services that enable users to terminate calls to the PSTN but
do not permit users to receive calls that originate on the PSTN? Should
E911 obligations apply to the converse situation in which a VoIP service
enables users to receive calls from the PSTN but does not permit the user to
make calls terminating to the PSTN?"

And the FCC tentatively concluded that

"a provider of a VoIP service offering that permits users generally to
receive calls that originate on the PSTN and separately makes available a
different offering that permits users generally to terminate calls to the
PSTN should be subject to the rules we adopt in today's Order if a user can
combine those separate offerings or can use them simultaneously or in
immediate succession."

The questions and tentative conclusion in the Notice have to mean something above and beyond what the FCC has already concluded in the Order itself. I'd like to think the questions and tentative conclusion mean more than simply, 'should the rules, which already apply to a circumstance where a computer has both SkypeIn and SkypeOut enabled, be extended to apply to a computer that has SkypeOut combined with another provider's inbound product (such as LibreTel's Port-of-Call application).

If the Order is construed as applying to a circumstance where a computer has both SkypeIn and SkypeOut software, there might be some rather bizarre consequences. First of all, the FCC will have essentially compelled every Internet voice application provider to offer only inbound or outbound voice applications, but not both (or set up a convoluted corporate or partnering arrangement such that no single entity offers both inbound and outbound voice applications).

I fear that this interpretation might relegate America to a VoIP ghetto, where anyone wishing to use both an inbound and outbound voice application on her computer had better not step foot in America. Should Skype consider turning off either its inbound or outbound service in America? Who could gain from such an amputation?

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Posted by jeff on June 5, 2005 05:18 PM | Permalink

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Posted by: 升降机 at July 14, 2008 05:47 AM

Computer use and WiFi phones, are under two different telco rules. If a service such as Skype is going to be imbedded into a cell phone, then it will most likely need a 911 option.

I see it in a black and white mode. If a VoIP service depends on any part of the PSTN other than data from one computer to another, it is most likely going to be hit with some regulatory rules, common to carriers using the same PSTN.

Posted by: Frank Muto at June 8, 2005 12:24 AM

Did you also notice that it looks like you have to allow users to update their address via voice commands and the keypad on a phone? I think this means that companies have to do more than just enable a web interface for updating the address.

Posted by: VoIP Dude at June 6, 2005 07:11 PM

How difficult would it have been to simply add a rider to the CPE clause along the lines of "whose sole or main function is voice telephony". End of problem -- it it's a phone, it needs 911.

The FCC position here seems exceedingly broad. Why can't they at least make this only apply is a US billing address is used? Why should I have to give up my US SkypeIn number because of an emergency service that has zero relevance to me when I'm sat here in Scotland?

What if I get a US-based 800 number? Should I still expect to have to subscribe to 911 service?

Whilst the Internet may route around the damage in Washington, it's a long and painful diversion.

Posted by: Martin Geddes at June 6, 2005 06:59 PM

So what's the implication when someone sells a WiFi phone with embedded Skype? Looks like a phone, acts like a phone...

My prediction in all of this? Continued full employment for telecom lawyers.

Posted by: DG Lewis at June 6, 2005 02:57 PM

Jeff, key word here is "computer".

I'm not to sure a person would be looking for a computer hoping to have a VoIP service such as SkypeIn/Out for making an emergency call to report a fire or other emergency.

I would presume a person would be looking for a "phone", i.e., Cell or wired.

Perhaps in the future we will at some point be able to say, "computer, call emergency services" and expect it to happen, as we do for 911 now.

Posted by: Frank Muto at June 5, 2005 09:37 PM

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