Voice over Internet Protocol and the US Government

The government of America and the FCC has started regulating Voice over Internet Protocol technology. The acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol is VoIP. Voice over Internet Protocol uses Packet Switching technology for transferring of voce over internet.

Packet Switching has become the regular means of telecommunications. A Packet is a unit of information, and the packets are then routed over the Internet. Voice over Internet protocol works in contrast with circuit switching.

A perfect example for Circuit switching network is the early telephone system. The circuit is an electrical current, reminiscent of the early switchboard operators who would “connect” the callers.

Voice over Internet Protocol works allows you to place phone calls over the Internet rather than with telephone lines with the help of a broadband or high speed Internet connection.

Different Voice over internet providers has different rates for their services. Some only allow communication between two computers that are running the same service, while others will allow you to call any phone from your Voice over Internet Protocol service provider.

Simply because it is cost effective and Packet Switching uses less bandwidth then Circuit Switching which in turn saves money, Voice over Internet Protocol has many advantages.

Hundreds of years have passed, dedicated to passing and establishing certain laws regarding Circuit Networks and telecommunications, yet Voice over Internet Protocol has elegantly slipped beneath all of the established rules and regulations.

It is due to this reality that Voice over Internet Protocol is more cost efficient. Voice over Internet Protocol is not held to the same tax rules and regulations that pertain to PSTN networks. Though, we can assume further legal matters to address this matter.

Moreover, Voice over Internet Protocol service providers have been concerned about regulations for IP communications being left to each state’s interpretation. This could demonstrate to be an unsightly battle in the future.

Voice over Internet Protocol technology is booming and it is expected that most companies will be using Voice over Internet Protocol for their business needs by the year 2008.

Many Voice over Internet Protocol service providers are in favor of Federal Regulations to speed up the rapid growth of Voice over Internet Protocol and present constancy for customers nationwide.

FCC And Voice Over Internet Protocol

Currently, the FCC has begun regulations with Voice over Internet Protocol, yet we can be certain that we will see rapid progress in the race to regulate this phenomenal technology in the next few years.

The FCC has started two major moves of concern to all Voice over Internet Protocol technological advances everywhere. The two matters of concern are Enhanced 911 and CALEA.

Enhanced 911 For Voice Over Internet Protocol

The first issue that the FCC has established new regulations is in regards to Enhanced 911. This stems from the fact that when it is not possible to use the emergency 911 facility properly when a person is using Voice over Internet Protocol.

This lead to many problems and the FCC has declared that if subscribers don’t sign a waiver stating that they understand their Voice over Internet Protocol services will not connect to 911 like PSTN networks, they will have to be cut off.

Currently, the new Enhanced 911 service does have its imperfections, and we can expect to see more growth in this area as Voice over Internet Protocol service providers redefine telecommunications.

CALEA And Voice Over Internet Protocol

CALEA stands for Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act. CALEA would enable law enforcement to issue taps on Voice over Internet Protocol data the same as they do with PSTN.

This is an interesting area, because Voice over Internet Protocol technology has now opened the door, through CALEA, to monitor other forms of Packet Switching networks.

If Voice over Internet Protocol service providers can be called upon for tap and trace procedures, and if it doesn’t matter if the communications were PC to PC, then that would extend to Instant Messaging services, gamers, and the like.

When it comes to the area of the FBI, CALEA, and tapping Voice over Internet Protocol there are some major aspects to consider.

First, the government rulings have been established for decades regarding Circuit Switched technology, by transferring these rules to Voice over Internet Protocol we are redefining the nature of Voice over Internet Protocol.

The impact of these rues shows that US government is trying to enforces rules and regulations on Voice over Internet Protocol as if it is PSTN. But, Voice over Internet Protocol is totally different from PSTN and these rules and regulation can lead to un-chartered water in the future.