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April 05, 2006
Update from House Telecom Subcommittee: Today's VoIP Amendment Results
After an 8 hour markup today, here is a summary of the VoIP related amendments offered and adopted in the House Telecom Subcommittee:
- Markey net neutrality -- amendment failed 8 to 23
- Stearns - Exclusive federal jurisdiction for VoIP - with new VoIP obligations. This is an amended version of HR 214. It includes exclusive federal jurisdiction for VoIP, but then requires the FCC to develop rules to apply new obligations on VoIP providers including E911, disability access, USF, access charges, etc. Amendment was offered and withdrawn
- Gordon/Shimkus/Eshoo - E911 - VoIP 911 amendment accepted by voice vote without any dissent.
- Stearns - VoIP Alarm monitoring services amendment - requires VoIP companies to notify an alarm company when the service is switched from PSTN to VoIP. Upton said he would like to see an amendment along these lines adopted, but wants to work it through in full committee. Engel said it should also apply to services like "I've fallen and I can't get up." Towns also spoke in favor of it. Barton said defer until full committee. The amendment was withdrawn.
- Stupak -- Requiring VoIP to contribute to universal service and access charges. Upton asked him to withdraw the amendment because USF is not addressed in this bill. Amendment withdrawn.
- Pickering - VoIP provider rights and obligations. Pickering will continue to work on it going into full committee. Markey says he wants to protect special access tariffs at full committee. Adopted by acclamation.
- Inslee/Engel - VoIP Disability access. Applies sections 225, 255, and 710 of the telecom act to VoIP services and hardware that are meant to substitute for replacement services. Barton said there is a real difference between the 100 year old phone network, and VoIP. Barton doesn't want to reinvent regulation for a good cause. Adopted.
- Boucher - Naked DSL. Boucher amendment would allow consumers to purchase DSL without also having to purchase voice service. Adopted
Tags: voip, House Telecom Subcommittee, Jeff Pulver
(c) 2006 Jeff Pulver. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by jeff on April 5, 2006 06:16 PM | Permalink
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Comments
Does the amendment accepted by voice vote without any dissent mentioned in the blog refer to Senate Bill s.1063?
Posted by: JTH at April 6, 2006 01:32 PM
Call you mother on the phone. If you can't, you may think of her in you
Posted by: kit at April 5, 2006 11:01 PM
Remember that the man who can shoulder the most risk will gain the deepest love and the supreme accomplishment;
Posted by: june at April 5, 2006 11:01 PM