Research & Commentary: Voice over Internet Protocol Deregulation
A product that is quickly changing the telecom industry and how
people communicate is voice over Internet protocol (VoIP)
calling, where voice and multimedia communication are conducted
and transmitted over Internet protocol (IP) networks, such as
the Internet. VoIP subscriptions have grown rapidly in recent
years: According to the Federal Communications Commission, there
were 34 million interconnected VoIP subscriptions as of June
2011, an increase of more than 50 percent since 2008. VoIP’s
rapid expansion has made it a target for increased regulation.
Currently, VoIP is regulated as an “information service,” which
means it is not subject to telephone regulations and the
associated added costs. In recent years however, the FCC has
imposed several new requirements on the VoIP industry, including
disability services, 911 enhancements, phone number portability,
and contribution to the Universal Service Fund, which is
designed to help pay for phone