The Jeff Pulver Blog: I Almost Forgot An Anniversary - February 12, 2007 was the Third Anniversary of the FCC's "Pulver Order"

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February 12, 2007

I Almost Forgot An Anniversary - February 12, 2007 was the Third Anniversary of the FCC's "Pulver Order"

Three years ago, the FCC granted the "Pulver Order", declaring voice communications services that do not touch the public-switched telephone network to be "Information Services" not "Telecom Services." At the time, I and others advocating on behalf of Internet-based communications considered it to be the first positive regulatory statement on the unregulated nature of Internet communications.

A lot has happened since that most auspicious date. To the extent that communication continues to evolve without the need to connect with the legacy public telephone network, such that broadband empowered consumers have ways to directly communicate with each other, the Pulver Order has provided clarity as to the regulatory treatment of such services in the United States and provides a model for many other regulators around the world. Over the past three years we have seen the commercialization of VoIP shift into high gear, as well as the launch of quite a number of companies and services all focused on helping to make end-to-end IP a reality.

But, we have also seen some retrenchment. As VoIP services, particularly those that connect to the PSTN become mainstream, we have seen the heavy hand of regulation stifle innovation by attempting to place VoIP in old regulatory constraints. Our work is still cut out for us to demonstrate how Internet-based communications are qualitatively different than traditional modes of communications, and how and why the old rules might need not apply.

Tags: Michael Powell, Pulver Order, voip, VON, FCC, Jeff Pulver