A coalition of 13 consumer groups called on Congress to impose so...

A coalition of 13 consumer groups called on Congress to impose social obligations on VoIP, saying universal service, accessibility, public safety and consumer protections should “continue to be the hallmark of our nation’s telecommunications policy.” In a letter to House Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R-Mich.) and ranking member Markey (D-Mass.), the coalition outlined principles it said policymakers should adopt in any VoIP framework, including: (1) Universal service. The coalition said providers of VoIP service, which is “functionally equivalent to plain old telephone service,” must contribute to the Universal Service Fund to “ensure affordable access to telecom services for all Americans. The public switched network remains the backbone of this country’s communications and VoIP providers must contribute to the maintenance of the network through intercarrier compensation.” (2) Access for people with disabilities. Telecom Act Sec. 255, which requires that telecom services be accessible should apply “equally” to VoIP carriers, the coalition said. It said VoIP providers must contribute to the telecom relay service fund to ensure accessible telecom service for people with hearing and speech disabilities. (3) Public safety requirements. The coalition said communications networks, regardless of technology, must provide E911 service. (4) Consumer protections. The coalition said all providers of voice telephony must provide basic consumer protections, including privacy, advance notification of termination of services and other obligations. The letter was signed by the Alliance for Public Technology, Alliance for Technology Access, American Assn. of Law Libraries, American Assn. of People with Disabilities, CWA, Community Action Partnership, Dept. of Professional Employees, Independent Living Network, MAAC Project, National Consumers League, National Hispanic Council on Aging, Telecom for the Deaf and Telecom Research & Action Center. The House Commerce Committee is expected to consider VoIP issues at its “Current State of Competition in the Communications Marketplace” meeting scheduled for Wed.