FCC Rules States Can't Regulate VoIP

Slashdot | FCC Rules States Can't Regulate VoIP: "NardofDoom writes 'Ars Technica is reporting that the FCC has 'placed a regulatory shield around VoIP,' declaring it immune to state regulation, even if calls terminate on publicly switched networks (POTS). A previous ruling declared that Internet-Internet calls (i.e. Skype) can't be regulated, but the ruling opens the door for Verizon, AT&T and other local carriers to offer VoIP to customers without paying state taxes. One step closer to free phone calls, or one step closer to state regulation or taxation of IP networks?'"

This will be an interesting one to watch. I cancelled my plain old telephone service a couple months ago in favor of Vonage VoIP broadband phone service, and could not possibly be happier. On one hand, competition from the phone companies could be a good thing. On the other, I can't imagine how Vonage could get much better (it's already dirt-cheap, full-featured, and has excellent sound quality), and I'd hate to see more taxes added to my phone bill. (*shudders*, remembering my old phone bill). We'll see...

Speaking of - do you want a free month of Vonage? Drop me an email or a comment. I'll send you my affiliate link which earns new Vonage customers a free month of service. :)