[asterisk-biz] FCC: Telcos Must Interconnect VoIP

[Paul]

Trixter aka Bret McDanel wrote:

>
>
> On 3/2/07, *Matthew Rubenstein* <email at mattruby.com
> <mailto:email at mattruby.com>> wrote:
>
>             The FCC ruled that TimeWarner's VoIP service must be freely
>     interconnected with POTS service by telcos, even though the FCC
>     doesn't
>     classify VoIP as a "telecom *service*":
>     http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6420646.html?display=Breaking
>     +News .
>
>             Does this affect Asterisk operators (eg. competing with
>     TW)? Any
>     previous restrictions now lifted? Continuing restrictions not avoided
>     because this decision is TW-specific? Or was TW facing
>     restrictions that
>     Asterisk operators haven't faced?
>
>
>
> Whether or not it affects asterisk operators (or any other voip
> operator at large) depends on the exact nature of the ruling.  I
> havent read it, so I cant comment, but I can comment on the SBCIS
> ruling where SBC Internet Services got the ability to go direct to
> NANPA (note SBCIS is not a certified carrier, they just happen to
> share a name with a certified carrier).  This was a one-off exemption
> just for them, so if you want one you have to go get one yourself.
>
> It could be that the TW case is the same way, where its specific to
> them.  There is a senate bill (already passed the house with a 3:1
> margin) that mandates that non-certified voip providers get to
> interconnect with all the same rights and privileges as a certified
> carrier, but the FCC is specifically the only one that can pass
> regulations for them and other stuff, basically if you are certified
> as a LEC the PUC can control you, if you are non-certified VoIP this
> bill makes it so only the FCC can do something.  Potential 10th
> amendment challenge there, but it also hasnt passed yet.

Do you think states rights issues could become a significant issue?

Do states already have any clearly defined rights in regard to the
number space within their area codes? Can they prevent a CLEC from
selling DID's to efax, vonage, and others who have no presence in the state?