By Sharla Sikes

Voice over IP service is becoming more and more widespread, with new providers and resellers popping up everywhere, and new customers signing up every day.

It’s grown enough that the FCC has stepped in numerous times, binding VoIP providers by the same regulations traditional phone companies face—but also granting them the same rights.

Earlier this year, the FCC ruled that rural phone companies could not block VoIP calls.  Some regulators in parts of Nebraska and South Carolina had ruled that VoIP calls could be blocked to local carriers because VoIP wasn’t a “telecommunications service.”

Time Warner stepped in with a petition to the FCC in March 2006, and a year later the FCC ruled that the Communications Services Act of 1934 “does not differentiate” between telecommunications service providers.

“The Commission must promote competition in every sector it oversees and create a level playing field among service providers,” said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin in a statement announcing the decision. “Our decision will enhance consumers’ choice for phone service by making clear that cable and other VoIP providers must be able to use local phone numbers and be allowed to put calls through to other phone networks.”

Even earlier than that, in March 2004, the FCC began considering disability access requirements for VoIP providers. Recently, the agency has ruled that VoIP operators and equipment manufacturers must support disability access requirements, such as 711. The 711 dialing service allows translation from TDD for the deaf to speech through a Telecommunications Relay Service.

So now, VoIP operators must ensure that all equipment, services and documentation are available to the disabled. Any fixes or adjustments to make this happen must be “readily achievable.”

Needless to say these services aren’t cheap. VoIP providers must begin contributing to the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund. Will we see a bump in our VoIP fees? Possibly. But with the rates most providers are offering, the cost will still be lower than traditional phone service. And by complying, VoIP’s role as a telecommunications service is cemented, with future lawsuits or actions against the providers (hopefully) circumvented.

“VoIP services are increasingly being marketed and used as a substitute for traditional landline phones,” said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. “While technologies will continue to revolve, core social goals … regarding the provision of communications services to all remain unchanged.”

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