« Google: A One-Trick Pony? | Main | Nortel's New Prez and COO »
FCC Slams Down on VOIP Blocking
By Mark Evans | March 4, 2005
This may not be the biggest telecom news but the FCC's decision to level a $15,000 fine against North Carolina's Madison River Communications for blocking VOIP calls to customers is an interesting and troubling development. According to CNet, the FCC made its move after Vonage and Nuvio complained broadband providers were blocking or degrading their service. For Vonage and its rivals who piggyback on high-speed networks, it is heartening the FCC is prepared to protect them but you wonder how many other network operators are fooling out with packet prioritization. It's like catching an athlete such as Jason Giambi for taking steroids but missing out on the fact there are dozens of other players doing it. Many consumers are already leary about jumping on the VOIP bandwagon without having to worry quality of service issues.
Topics: Main Page |