The Telecommunications Industry Association has adopted a policy statement on the regulation of Voice over Internet Protocol.
The TIA Board of Directors' approved statement of policy principles has been formally submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
"Given the inherent differences between the IP networks on which the VoIP application rides and the traditional circuit-switched networks, regulation should not be applied to VoIP without thorough justification that it is necessary as a matter of public policy," the policy statement notes. "Moreover, doing so would have the effect of using regulation to restrict the inherent advantages of the IP platform."
TIA President Matthew Flanigan says VoIP should be looked at as a driver of broadband deployment.
"For that reason, we view VoIP policy decisions as part of the overall regulatory framework for broadband deployment," says Flanigan.
"As an important matter of national policy, we believe that a single federal policy for VoIP regulation is a must and, in fact, the nature of the technology demands such an approach," Flanigan continues. "A patchwork of regulatory obligations across the states would threaten the continued rise of these new, dynamic and competition-enhancing applications."
Flanigan promised that the TIA will remain committed to working with the FCC to seek creative solutions for addressing the important public interest issues that arise during the continued rollout of VoIP.
The TIA is based in Arlington, VA. For more information visit www.tiaonline.org.