September 15, 2003 - Melville, New York - Back in November, 2002 the IP Communications Industry had issues with the way NANP, the North American Numbering Plan Administration, was approaching VoIP. While the folks at NANPA are still working on their approach to VoIP, those of us who are living in the United States who care about IP Communications now have a much more immediate problem, some of the State members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, NARUC.

The are forces at work here which if they are successful will create unnecessary taxes and crippling administrative burden on the Internet and in fact would mark a real dark day for IP Communications in the United States. Together we need to counter lobbyist scaremongering by explaining to state commissioners that internet connections must not be burdened with crippling administration.

I'm working on launching a true grass-roots effort and will have more information after our first planning meeting during VON in Boston next week.

The commissioners are worried that an explosion of internet calls could threaten the Universal Service Fund. The reality is that it will be many years before the volume of calls diverted is enough to affect service funds, giving plenty of time to find a well-thought out response. The move for immediate action is an attempt by some to stifle future internet choices hidden in some legitimate concerns. I addressed this in my talk last week at the Cato Institute.

People can find their State Commissioners email by visiting: www.naruc.org/resources/state.shtml. People should write respectful letters to their State Commissioners and in their own words tell them why VoIP should not be regulated in their State. Be sure to mention the state you live in to make this effort even more effective. Please feel free to review my sample letter.

State commissioners play an important role, but few beyond the professional lobbyists contact them on issues. Even a few emails have the potential to sway them on an issue.

I'm am hoping that people take the time to reach out to their respective State Commissioners and have their voices heard. Please feel free to copy me on your emails.

Our only hope may be getting the FCC to become Preemptive with regard to VoIP on a State Level.

Together we can and will make a difference!

Jeff Pulver
pulver.com
jeffp@pulver.com
September 15, 2003