This section contains articles, technical papers, white papers, and other documents about VON Technologies.
| - Quick Response From VoIP Industry to Katrina:
The VoIP industry has stepped forward to help FEMA, the Red Cross, and the Army communicate, to help connect the refugees in the astrodome, to help field calls for telethons, to help first responders communicate, to help connect hospitals who are disconnected, and to help utility workers working to restore services communicate with each other. The ability to set up VoIP services on the fly, from any network, has proved to be critical in this emergency. We hope this is just the beginning.
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A Summary of the Unique Role VoIP Has Played In Responding To The Emergency
(9/12/2005) |
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New Orleans City Leaders Relied Upon VoIP Almost Entirely – Providing Critical Link In Organizing Response and Communicating With President Bush. This Wall Street JOurnal article describes how New Orleans city leaders relied virtually entirely on VoIP services for five days after the failure of basic landline phone service, and mobile and satellite phones, which eventually lost battery power and could not be recharged. Mayor Ray Nagin and his inner circle, holed up in the Hyatt Regency Hotel a few blocks from City Hall, couldn't communicate with the outside world until a staff person remembered he had recently signed up for a VoIP service. He and other staff set out in a military Humvee to find an Office Depot, where they requisitioned VoIP phones. They got 8 VoIP lines up and running from the mayor's emergency headquarters. When President Bush called Mayor Nagin on August 31 from Air Force One, they spoke on teh VoIP line. The city was making use of the capability of VoIP phones to be used anywhere with a high speed Internet connection.
(9/9/2005) |
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VoIP To The Rescue An eWeek story describing how the American Red Cross uses VOIP for its Katrina disaster response.
(9/9/2005) |
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| About the VON Coalition:
General information and documents
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VoIP competition can save consumers an astonishing $111 billion over the next 5 years. Economic report finds VoIP competition can allow businesses and consumers to do more, but pay less.
(1/23/2008) |
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About the VON Coalition
About the VON Coalition:
The Voice on the Net or VON Coalition consists of leading VoIP companies, on the cutting edge of developing and delivering voice innovations over Internet. The coalition, which includes AT&T, BT Americas, CallSmart, Cisco, CommPartners, Covad, EarthLink, Google, iBasis, i3 Voice and Data, Intel, Microsoft, New Global Telecom, PointOne, Pulver.com, Skype, T-Mobile USA, USA Datanet, and Yahoo! works to advance regulatory policies that enable Americans to take advantage of the full promise and potential of VoIP. The Coalition believes that with the right public policies, Internet based voice advances can make talking more affordable, businesses more productive, jobs more plentiful, the Internet more valuable, and Americans more safe and secure. Since its inception, the VON Coalition has promoted pragmatic policy choices for unleashing VoIP's potential. http://www.von.org
(7/27/2005) |
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Membership Application. Fill out this form to become a member of the VON Coalition.
(6/20/2005) |
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Whitepaper: Unleashing the Full Promise and Potential of VoIP Vast benefits: lower prices, better jobs, and improved ways to communicate
(6/20/2005) |
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Coalition members. A list of Von Coalition members
(6/20/2005) |
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President Bush on VoIP policy “I support innovative communications technologies like Voice Over Internet Protocal (VoIP), and believe they will lead to more communications choices for consumers. VoIP will benefit from the deployment of broadband, and that is one of the reasons I have set an aggressive goal of having affordable broadband access available to all Americans by 2007. We must work toward creating regulatory certainty, which provides companies with the incentive to invest in new technologies and services. Internet telephony by its nature relies on technology that does not distinguish geographic borders. This requires us to take a hard look at the appropriate role of Federal and state regulators with respect to a technology that may be more similar to email than to regular telephony, at least in the way the signal is transmitted. The FCC is looking at this specific issue in an effort to ensure that sound rules exist that will allow these new technologies to flourish in the marketplace.”
-- From CompTIA’s October 2004 questionnaire on tech policy.
(10/29/2004) |
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Innovative and often free PSTN connected one-way VoIP services A listing of innovative PSTN connected VoIP services that are not replacments for traditional home phone telephone service, yet provide immeasurable new opportunities for bsuinesses and consumers alike.
(8/21/2004) |
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| VON Coalition Public Filings:
VON Coalition Comments and Reply Comments
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VON highlights the extraordinary progress, capabilities, and breakthrough advantages that VoIP technology is already enabling to improve the ways that people with disabilities can communicate. VON tells House leaders that it’s now clear that VoIP technology has the potential to radically improve communications for people with disabilities. Coalition shares whitepaper demonstrating the diverse and exciting accessibility technologies that have been enabled by VoIP. They have become indispensible for many communities. But there is some concern that, given the diversity of VoIP tools and the diversity of types of disabilities, that a one-size-fits-all approach may not always be the best way to advance these technologies.
(5/1/2008) |
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VON supports New York legislation to advance VoIP opportunity VON Coalition encourages New York Senators to support SB 7664 to foster VoIP driven benefits and improve the way New Yorkers communicate.
(5/1/2008) |
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VON opposes restrictive change to FCC number porting rules The Coalition filed an opposition to the South Dakota Telecommunications Association’s request for clarification and/or reconsideration of the Commission’s interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol LNP Order. The VON Coalition believes that limiting VoIP providers to a single type of carrier is counter to the Commission’s stated number portability goal to facilitate greater competition among telephony providers.
(4/29/2008) |
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VON testifies in Senate of Phantom Traffic. Group suggestes Congress proceed cautiously to avoid unintended consequences.
(4/23/2008) |
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VON submits reply comments regarding telephone number portability and additional N11 requirements for IP-enabled services providers. VON reiterates its strong support for the Commission’s goal of enabling voice competition by streamlining and speeding the telephone number porting process. However it argues that changes to or adoption of additional number porting and N11 number requirements for Interconnected VoIP providers at this time is neither necessary nor justified.
(4/21/2008) |
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Joint comments to open up Oman's market to VoIP The VON Coalition and the VON Coalition Europe jointly share their view in Oman's public consultation on VoIP services on policies to help enable consumers and businesses in Oman to enjoy the full promise and potential of Internet communications.
(4/15/2008) |
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VON seeks changes to Missouri H.B. 1779 in order to ensure that consumers can take full advantage of the power and potential that Internet communication can deliver. However, this bill as written could have the effect of preventing Missouri consumers from benefiting from the lower prices and robust services promised by Voice over Internet Protocol technologies. Rather than stifling Internet communication options, we encourage the Missouri legislature to take this opportunity to ensure that any legislative initiatives nurture the powerful potential that Internet based communication can deliver to consumers.
(4/8/2008) |
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VON seeks changes in California bill AB 1977 While AB 1977 seeks to address laudable goals regarding law enforcement access to customer information about 911 callers in an emergency, these goals are already being appropriately addressed at the federal level for VoIP consumers. However, covering such a vast array of Internet communication technologies in the measure is counterproductive, could hinder future life saving advances, stifle VoIP innovation while also violating federal rules. As a result, these Internet leaders are writing to seek critical changes in AB 1977 in order to ensure that California consumers can continue to take full advantage of the vast benefits that Internet based communication can deliver.
(4/7/2008) |
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VON submits comments regarding telephone number portability and additional N11 requirements for IP-enabled services Providers. While the VON Coalition strongly supports the Commission’s goal of enabling voice
competition by streamlining and speeding the telephone number porting
process, it argues that changes to or adoption of additional number porting and N11 number requirements for
Interconnected VoIP providers at this time is neither necessary nor
justified.
(3/24/2008) |
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VON strongly opposes Embarq's proposal to stifle innovation by extending access charges to IP-to-PSTN voice calls.
(3/14/2008) |
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VON asks FCC to ensure consumers can obtain and use the content, applications, and devices they
choose in order to unlock the vast potential of the Internet. VON files commets regarding peer to peer traffic asking the Commission to make clear that anti-consumer degradation of
VoIP traffic is a violation of the Commission’s Internet Policy Statement, enforce its Policy
Statement on a case-by-case basis, and ensure that consumers receive meaningful information
about the capabilities and limitations of their broadband access in their terms of service.
(3/14/2008) |
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VON Coalition Announces New Leadership The VON Coalition announced that is has elected Caitlin Clark-Zigmond of New Global Telecom as its Chair of the Board,
Angela Simpson of Covad as its President, Kathleen Ham of T-Mobile as Vice President of Regulatory
Affairs, Staci Pies of Skype as Vice President of State Affairs, and Paul Kenefick of Earthlink as
Treasurer. The Coalition also re-elected Jamie Hedlund of Yahoo! as Vice President of Legislative
Affairs; and Kevin Minsky of Microsoft as Vice President of International Affairs.
(3/7/2008) |
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VON suggests important changes be made to Minnesota legislation. The VON Coalition writes to Minnesota House and Senate leaders to recommend important changes be made to S.F. 2935 and companion H.F. 3201 in order to ensure that Minnesota consumers continue to benefit from VoIP's vast potential.
(2/29/2008) |
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VON highlights concerns about Tennessee bills The VON Colaition wrote Tennessee House and Senate leaders to seek changes in HB 4180 and its companion SB 4126 in order to ensure Tenneessee consumers can benefit from VoIP's vast benefits.
(2/29/2008) |
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VON writes to Washington state Senators to seek changes in SB 6884 to harmonize definitions with federal definitions of VoIP in order to ensure that
Washington consumers can continue to take advantage of the benefits that Internet based
communication can deliver.
(2/22/2008) |
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VON writes to Maryland delegates in opposition to H.B. 1062 which while well intentioned – could undermine federal E9-1-1 rules and put consumer safety at risk.
(2/21/2008) |
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VON writes to Washington state representatives to seek changes in HB 3347 to harmonize definitions with federal definitions of VoIP in order to ensure that
Washington consumers can continue to take advantage of the benefits that Internet based
communication can deliver.
(2/20/2008) |
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VON writes to Colorado representatives to request that H.B. 1227 be amended to remove references to VoIP from the bill.
H.B. 1277 would extend Colorado’s high-cost service mechanism rules to Internet
communications – in violation of federal rules.
(2/8/2008) |
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VON writes to Missouri representatives to express serious concerns regarding HB1779. The bill would significantly alter the regulatory landscape for Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP)
services in ways harmful to both competition and consumers in Missouri. Enacting HB1779 would be inequitable, run counter to federal communications
policy, and would harm to competition, innovation, and consumer welfare far more than the
potential benefits of this proposed regulation.
(2/5/2008) |
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VON writes to Washington D.C. councilmembers in support of B17-0332 to prevent help foster VoIP driven benefits and improve the way
D.C. residents communicate.
(2/4/2008) |
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VON writes to Pennsylvania legislators in support of SB 1000 to prevent state regulation of VoIp and help foster VoIP driven benefits and improve the way Pennsylvanian’s communicate.
(2/4/2008) |
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VON files comments on hearing aid compatibility
(1/7/2008) |
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VoIP Leaders Call on Trading Partners to Stop Blocking Consumer Access to VoIP The VON Coalition filed papers with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) highlighting key countries who have created market barriers and prohibitions that are stifling Internet based communication technologies like VoIP. The VON Coalition asks U.S. Trade negotiators to help open markets to new technologies.
(12/21/2007) |
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The VON Coalition spawns the VON Coalition Europe Launches a new coalition to advance policies that enable consumers and businesses throughout Europe to enjoy the full promise and potential of Internet communications. Founding members include leaders iBasis, Intel,
Google, Microsoft, Rebtel, Skype, and Voxbone
(12/17/2007) |
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The VON Coalition sends a letter to FCC Chair Kevin Martin regarding the foreign storage of data.
(12/17/2007) |
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VON Files Comments with FCC regarding Disability Extension.
In general, the VON Coalition does not seek a further extension of time to meet the 711
dialing obligations beyond the 6-month extension already granted by the Commission. However,
we highlight two key issues that, despite herculean efforts to date, are technically insurmountable
because they involve capabilities that are outside the control of Interconnected VoIP providers.
They involve 1) TRS emergency dialing capabilities for calls that originate with a non-native
telephone number, and 2) TTY capability when the user chooses a broadband connection with
high latency or jitter.
(12/3/2007) |
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VON Coalition tells FCC not to regulate e-mail Responding to a petition suggesting the FCC use its telephone authority to apply e-mail forwarding requirements, the VON Coalition suggests that the Commission’s regulation of e-mail 1) would represent an unprecedented leap into
regulation of applications and web services; 2) exceeds the Commission’s statutory
authority; 3) could perversely stifle innovation and investment, reduce consumer choice,
increase cost to service providers and increase prices to consumers; 4) would come at the
expense of a provider’s ability to protect the privacy and security of its users; 5) would
create vast unintended and harmful consequences; and 6) would not have actually
remedied the petitioner’s specific case.
(10/26/2007) |
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VON Coalition responds to NECA letter and asks FCC to contiunue its pro-growth, pro-consumer, pro-innovation policies that have kept the broken access charge regimne from applying to VoIP, while the FCC complete comprehensive intercarrier compensation reform. NECA had urged the Commission to
apply access charges to innovative VoIP services.
(10/26/2007) |
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VON asks Congress to advance solutions for better 911 The VON Coalition sent Congressman Markey and Upton a letter supporting H.R. 3403, the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act, and urging speedy passage. The subcommittee responded later in the day by advancing the bill.
(10/10/2007) |
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VON files comments regarding Ofcom's proposals regarding access to emergency services for VoIP users The VON Coalition agrees with the importance of ensuring the ability of consumers to make 999/112 calls in the UK using PATS and PATS-substitute VoIP services. However, the Coalition expresses its concerns with Ofcom’s proposal to mandate 999 access for so-called ‘type 2’ or ‘VoIP Out’ services, a vast class of communication services which are not substitutes for traditional PSTN-based services and create no expectation for 999 availability.
(9/20/2007) |
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VON asks Congress for help in accelerating 911 solutions for VoIP In House testimony, the VON Coalition testified in support of testify on H.R. 3403, the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007. The legislation would help further accelerate VoIP 911 solutions by providing direct access to the 9-1-1 network, enabling equivalent liability relief for call-takers, maintaining a bright-line on covered services, and requiring a national plan for a next generation 9-1-1 system. It represents an important recognition that fostering complete and comprehensive solutions for the delivery of 9-1-1 calls by VoIP providers is important for consumers and industry alike. Given the urgency of the issue, the VON Coalition asked Congress to act quickly to ensure workable 911 and E911 solutions for VoIP.
(9/19/2007) |
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VON Coalition urges FCC not to undermine VoIP E911 progress by requiring less accurate location information. The Coalition supports the FCC’s goal of continuing to improve emergency service and ensuring that first responders receive the critical information they need. Coalition cites nearly unanimous view among commenters that the Commission should not mandate autolocation for interconnected VoIP services because such a mandate may jeopardize existing progress and imperil public safety.
(9/18/2007) |
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VON cites vast progress in meeting disability obligations, but asks FCC for more time to ensure solutions works well
(9/14/2007) |
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VON urges FCC to ensure broadband competition fluorishes VoIP providers and consumers that use VoIP services benefit from the greatest possible degree of competition and the greatest number of broadband providers in any given market, because that level of competition provides a basis and platform for VoIP competition. The VON Coalition urges the Commission to refrain from considering over-the-top VoIP competition as a sufficient present or future basis for forbearance.
(8/31/2007) |
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VON Coalition tells FCC that imposing a new autolocation and accuracy mandate on Interconnected VoIP services would create a technically infeasible requirement and harm public safety
(8/20/2007) |
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VON Coalition tells FCC that the premature adoption of additional CPNI requirements is neither necessary
nor justified. The VON Coalition files reply comments in the FCC's CPNI proceeding arguing that in light of the
recently adopted privacy safeguards which have yet to take effect, the Commission should now refrain from imposing additional and possibly unnecessary and costly new CPNI rules.
(8/7/2007) |
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VON Coalition says recent FCC decision demonstrates need for the FCC to change course in its proposal to impose regulatory fees on VoIP providers. VON Coalition sends letter to FCC outlining why the recent COMSAT Refund Order demonstrates the need for the Commission to ensure that the annual regulatory fees imposed on services newly added to the Fee Schedule comply with Section 9’s requirements.
(7/27/2007) |
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VON Coalition joins with others suggesting FCC reject DOJ CALEA petition The VON Coalition with the Center for Democracy and Technology, the American Library Association, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Media Access Project and others arguing that the Department of Justice’s petition goes beyond what is allowed by the law, and imposes on Internet access providers obligations that exceed what is obtainable in the PSTN context.
(7/25/2007) |
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VON Coalition suggest that application of CMRS location accuracy testing on PSAP-level basis is putting cart before the horse. The VON Coalition files with the FCC suggesting that it is premature to adopt the tentative conclusions contained in the NPRM that interconnected VoIP services should have to meet CMRS E9-1-1standards and that location accuracy testing should be required on a PSAP-level basis. The Commission is putting the cart before the horse.
(7/5/2007) |
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VON Coalition tells FCC that additional foreign reporting requirements are unnecessary and immaterial In a filing with the FCC, the VON Coalitions explains that extending foreign traffic reporting requirements to Interconnected VoIP providers likely would impose costly administrative burdens, run counter to previous Commission findings, and create immaterial and potentially redundant data, without providing any corresponding benefit to consumers, the Commission or industry.
(6/28/2007) |
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No need for California specific service quality rules The VON Coalition files with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) arguing that it is premature and inappropriate for the CPUC to implement service quality standards on VoIP providers at this time.
(6/15/2007) |
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VON filing regarding new opportunities for disability access to communications. VON Coalition highlights industry leadership and successes in addressing disability access issues which have led to breakthrough new advantages for people with disabilities. Coalition beleives Commission’s current market-based approach to disability access for VoIP is working -- allowing people with disabilities communicate in new and improved ways.
(5/24/2007) |
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VON Coalition rebuts band-aid rate-raising, innovation reducing Phantom Traffic proposal The Coalition urges the Commission to complete its omnibus intercarrier compensation reform proceeding. Such an approach avoids imposing costly but temporary “band-aid” requirements on VoIP providers, protects VoIP
consumers from arbitrary price increases, and ensures that new investment in IP-enabled networks, applications, and services is not unnecessarily deterred.
(5/18/2007) |
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VON Coalition reply comments regarding assessment of Regulatory Fees In addition to the legal infirmities already presented, these
reply comments detail how the Commission's proposal would run counter to the recently enacted
Call Home Act as well. However, if the Commission moves forward with its proposal, it should do so only on an in-use NANP numbers- or connections-based basis.
(5/11/2007) |
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VON Coalition files Comments Regarding Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2007The Coalition argues that impositiuon of regulatory fees is inconsistent with Section 9 and the Administrative Procedure Act.
(5/3/2007) |
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VON Letter to Vermont Legislators opposing HB-268. HB 268 would extend Vermont’s intrastate
telecommunication rules to Internet communications – in violation of federal rules.
(4/30/2007) |
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VON Coalition comments regarding Skype Petition to confirm a consumer's right to use Internet software and attach devices to wireless networks. The VON Coalition tells the FCC it believes that the Commission’s broadband principles, including the right of consumers to attach nonharmful devices to the network and run applications of their choice on the network, should be found to apply to wireless broadband networks. To the extent that this is in doubt, the Commission should make it clear, as requested by Skype.
(4/30/2007) |
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VON Coalition to Geeorgia legislators seeking changes to HB 394 While supporting the bill's laudible goals, as written the bill would both slow critical broadband enabled benefits from reaching Georgia consumers and stifle Internet innovation.
(4/12/2007) |
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VON letter to Oregon legislators seeking delay regarding VoIP provisions related to SB969 and HB
2621. Language included in SB 969 and amendments being considered to HB 2621 would be in direct contradiction to the recently upheld Vonage decision asserting exclusive federal jurisdiction over VoIP services.
(4/12/2007) |
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VON Letter to Montana legislators opposing HB611 HB 611, if enacted, would be in direct violation of the recently affirmned Vonage exclusive federal jurisdiction decision by extending state telecommunication mandates to VoIP.
(4/11/2007) |
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VON Calls on California legislators to promote both public safety and innovation The VON Coalition wrote to Senators regarding ways to further improve SB 1024 in order to both promote public safety and protect innovation.
(3/23/2007) |
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VON Coalition Announces New Leadership Innadition to electing new borad members, the VON Coalition announces that it has elected Jonathan Askin of Pulver.com as its Chair of the Board, re-elected Staci Pies of PointOne as its President, Angela Simpson of Covad as Vice President and Caitlin Clark-Zigmond of New Global Telecom as Treasurer. The Coalition also elected Jamie Hedlund of Yahoo as Vice President of Legislative Affairs; Christopher Libertelli of Skype as Vice President of State Affairs, and Kevin Minsky of Microsoft as Vice President of International Affairs.
(3/12/2007) |
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VON Coalition testimony on HR 251 - the Truth in Caller-ID act
(3/1/2007) |
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VoIP Leaders Praise FCC for Answering the Call for Voice Competition by granting Time Warner petition On April 10, 2006, the VON Coalition asked the FCC to grant a Time Warner petition to clarify that voice traffic can be exchanged between broadband and telephone networks – a key requirement for enabling VoIP consumers to talk with their analog counterparts and visa versa. The VON Coalition applauds the FCC's decision to grant the petition.
(3/1/2007) |
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VON letter to Nebraska Senators in opposition to LB661 and LB 660 The legislation could prevent Nebraska consumers from taking full advantage of exciting and innovative VoIP services by extending state telecom relay, and state universal service regulatory mandates and fees to VoIP communications in violation of
federal rules.
(2/8/2007) |
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VON letter to Missouri Senators in support of key provision in SB 284 which would help consumers harness the full power and potential of Internet based communication. The legislation codifies FCC policy by prohibiting the Missouri Public Service Commission from regulating or otherwise exercising jurisdiction over the provision of VoIP service. The legislation also promotes public safety by ensuring that VoIP providers and 911 call-takers have equivalent liability immunity as other telecommunications providers for all
911 calls.
(2/8/2007) |
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VON letter to Kansas Senators on state regulation of VoIP. VON Coalition writes to Kansas Senators in opposition to SB 49, which would extend Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) rules to Internet communications – in violation of federal rules.
(2/1/2007) |
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VON Coalition files comments with the FCC regarding efforts to protect consumer privacy. The VON Coalition expressed its support for the FCC's goal of preventing pretexting and protecting confidential customer data against unauthorized release. VON Coalition members have long
emphasized the importance of protecting confidential customer data – and already comply with state and
federal privacy obligations applicable to providers of on-line data services and to which telecommunications
carriers are often exempted. However, the coalition expressed concern about proposals to stretch the clear statutory
language of Section 222 of the Communications Act of 1934 to apply potentially conflicting obligations on
interconnected VoIP providers. Imposition of such requirements, especially
without an adequate transition period, could thwart the tremendous consumer benefits VoIP brings to
Internet and broadband communications.
(1/31/2007) |
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VON Coalition Praises Senate Leaders For Helping Unlock 9-1-1 Solutions for VoIP The VON Coalition released a statement praising Senators Nelson, Snowe and Clinton for introducing the ‘‘IP–Enabled Voice
Communications and Public Safety Act of 2007.” The legislation would help accelerate VoIP 911 solutions by
providing direct access to the 9-1-1 network, enabling equivalent liability relief for call-takers, and requiring a
national plan for a next generation 9-1-1 system.
(1/30/2007) |
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VON Coalition cites progress on VoIP E911 Now Interconnected VoIP providers provide E911 to well over 97% of their subscribers -- eclipsing the progress made by other forms of voice communications.
(1/10/2007) |
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VON Coalition tells Kansas regulators that state regulation of VoIP is contrary to FCC jurisdiction decision VON suggests that the Kansas Commission should refrain from attempting to regulate VoIP services by imposing KUSF obligations on them until the resolution of pending court proceedings addressing issues of federal preemption of state VoIP regulation.
(12/15/2006) |
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VON Coalition charges more than a dozen trading partners with creating market barriers and prohibitions that are stifling Internet based communication technologies like VoIP and calls upon US Trade Negotiators to help open markets.
(12/15/2006) |
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VON Coalition files comments on Phantom Traffic The coalition urges the FCC to avoid costly and burdensome “solutions” to the so-called phantom traffic issues raised by the Missoula Plan supporters and, instead, directly move to adopt comprehensive compensation reform
(12/7/2006) |
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VON Coalition submits reply comments on Universal Service. The coalition urges the Commission
to take prompt action to adopt comprehensive numbers-based universal service reform. In
addition, the Commission should issue an order clarifying several key issues arising
from its proposed revenue-based contribution methodology for interconnected VoIP,
including: (1) the continued vitality of the Commission’s federal preemption of state
regulation of VoIP services; (2) the elimination of the traffic survey preapproval
requirement for interconnected VoIP providers; (3) the reduction of the safe harbor
percentage to a level consistent with competitor’s bundled local/long distance
services provided over other platforms such as wireline or cable; and (4) the
exclusion of non-interconnected VoIP services from the USF contribution base, even
if such non-interconnected services are bundled with interconnected services.
(9/12/2006) |
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VON Coalition files comments in FCC's rulemaking in Universal Service changes In this submission, the VON Coalition responds to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and outlines steps to enable broadband voice innovation to dramatically improve
broadband adoption rates, and bring competition to rural communications.
(8/9/2006) |
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Interconnected VoIP Universal Service Contribution
In a filing with the FCC, the VON Coalition expresses its long-standing support for comprehensive universal service contribution reform adopting a mechanism based on either working telephone numbers or connections. The Coalition expresses its concern that any interim measures that continue to rely on an assessment of revenues will not make up for the loss to the fund caused by the expiration of DSL contributions, could delay comprehensive reform by requiring two fundamental shifts in tracking and billing practices for VoIP providers, and importantly, will harm the very consumers it seeks to benefit by increasing the cost of affordable alternatives to traditional phone service. It is critical, therefore, that to ensure that every American can benefit from broadband communications choices, the Commission avoid ineffective interim measures and instead, quickly move to modernize our universal service system and establish a numbers or connections-based contribution approach that will be equitable, understandable, easy to administer and will ensure the sustainability of the fund.
(6/14/2006) |
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The VON Coalition asks FCC to implement steps improving communications and enabling victims to more easily reach families members after a major disaster These comments support the pulver/Evslin Petition to mitigate the effect of telephone outages in the event of natural disaster or other public crises. The VON Coalition believes there is an important role for IP technology in transforming and advancing emergency and post-disaster communications.
(4/28/2006) |
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VON asks for FCC Clarification that VoIP traffic can be exchanged.
VON Coalition comments in support of the petition for declaratory ruling submitted by Time Warner Cable. The petition asks the FCC to affirm that competitive local exchange carriers (“CLECs”) are entitled to interconnect with incumbent local exchange carriers (“ILECs”) for the purpose of exchanging traffic on behalf of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based service providers.
(4/7/2006) |
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VON Coalition Press statement Praising House Leaders For Helping Advance VoIP 9-1-1 Solutions Statement is in response to a House subcommittee adopted measure to accelerate workable VoIP E911 solutions and the transition to an IP enabled emergency network.
(4/5/2006) |
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VON Coalition files comments with FCC urging the Commission to complete its omnibus intercarrier compensation reform proceeding, rather than taking a piecemeal approach to resolving ntercarrier compensation reform. Such an approach avoids imposing costly but temporary “band-aid” requirements on ESPs, protects VoIP consumers from arbitrary price increases, and ensures that new investment in IP-enabled networks, applications, and services is not unnecessarily deterred.
(3/27/2006) |
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PDF Format |
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Voice on the Net Coalition Announces New Leadership
(2/28/2006) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition releases consumer tips for protecting the privacy of their billing records
(2/9/2006) |
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VoIP leaders ask President to unleash the future The VoIP industry sent the President a letter outlining six key steps the President can take to unleash the full promise and potential of Internet voice communications. In order to help meet the President’s goal of making affordable broadband access available to all Americans by 2007, the VON Coalition believes that the Administration should help remove barriers to innovation that could stifle VoIP-driven broadband investment. With the right policy framework, VoIP can play a critical role in boosting broadband demand by making talking more affordable, businesses more productive, communications more accessible, broadband more valuable, and Americans more safe and secure.
(1/19/2006) |
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Comments Opposing Frontier Petition The VON Coalition files comments opposing the Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by Frontier Telephone of Rochester.
(1/9/2006) |
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PDF Format |
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CALEA Joint CommentsJoint Comments in support of the petition for reconsideration and clarification
Of the CALEA applicability order.
(12/30/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition files in support of limited but exclusive federal jurisdiction for VoIP The VON Coalition joined with the High Tech Broadband Coalition and Pulver.com in support of the FCC's landmark Vonage decision.
(12/1/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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2nd annual VON 911 Survey Results
(11/7/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VoIP Leaders Announce Significant Progress on E9-1-1 VON Coalition released 2nd annual survey results of industry progress on 911.
(11/7/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition launches Internet Voice Campaign A group of the country’s leading
Internet voice providers announced a new initiative to raise awareness and help
educate consumers about the benefits of voice services delivered over the Internet. The
initiative, known as the Internet Voice Campaign, is part of The VON Coalition
(www.von.org), and its mission is to increase adoption and usage of voice over IP
(VoIP).
(11/3/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press statement Praising Senate Leaders For Helping Advance VoIP 9-1-1 Solutions Statement is in response to Senate legislation that requires the FCC to revise their 911 rules, provide waivers, and transition to an IP enabled emergency network.
(11/2/2005) |
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VON Coalition Replies to VON/NENA petition VON Coalition filing responding to the NASUCA opposition to the Petition for Clarification filed by the VON Coalition/NENA concerning the FCC VoIP 9-1-1 order.
(9/27/2005) |
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VoIP Proves Crucial in Katrina Emergency Response Exhibit A in VON E911 NPRM Reply Comments.
(9/12/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition asks FCC to help speed more advanced IP based emergency solutions in reply comments in FCC's E9-1-1 NPRM.
(9/12/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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Congressional Leaders Ask FCC not to put consumers in harms way
(8/26/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition asks FCC not to put consumers in harms way by requiring service to be shut off.
(8/25/2005) |
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Before immediately expanding new E9-1-1 obligations, VON Coalition asks FCC to help speed more advanced IP based emergency services. VON Coalition filing in FCC's E9-1-1 NPRM.
(8/15/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VoIP Leaders Hail Recognition of Consumer Internet Freedoms
Say Internet Freedoms are Essential to Unlocking VoIP’s Full Promise and Potential.
(8/5/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Statement on FCC Decision to Apply CALEA to Interconnected VoIP Services VoIP Leaders Looking Forward to Working With FCC on Law Enforcement Issues.
Group Warns That Extending Wiretaps Laws Beyond Congressional Intent Could Stall Technology Benefits
(8/5/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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Petition for Clarification on VoIP E9-1-1 The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and The Voice on the Net Coalition joint petition to the FCC for clarification
of the rules adopted in the FCC's VoIP E9-1-1 order to accelerate deployment of E9-1-1 services.
(7/29/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Statement: VON Coalition Praises Hill Leaders for Helping Unlock 9-1-1 Solutions for VoIP
(5/18/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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Reply Comments of the Voice on the Net (VON) Coalition before the FCC in the Matter of Prepaid Calling Card Services (WC Docket#05-68)
(5/16/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Statement: VoIP Leaders Ask Congress to Hang-Up on Idea of Applying 1898 War Tax to Internet
Communication. Supported efforts by Senator Allen to prevent the Federal Excise Tax from being expanded to the Internet.
(4/11/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Letter:Letter to Arkansas Legislators opposing efforts to expand the
definition of telecommunications service to include Internet voice service in order to apply
telecommunications taxes.
(4/4/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release: T-Mobile USA joins the VON Coalition
(3/31/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release: Level 3 Communications withdraws its forbearance petition.
(3/21/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release: VoIP Leaders Praise Elevation of Kevin Martin as FCC Chairman
(3/16/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Letter to FCC Chairman Michael K Powell encouraging the Commission to adopt the Level 3 Petition.
(3/4/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition statement on VoIP port blocking
(3/3/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Letter to Federal Communications Commission encouraging the Commission to grant the Level 3 Petition (Docket Nos. 04-36 and 03-266)
(2/18/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Statement on Access Charge Reform
(2/10/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition letter to Senator Daniel Inouye regarding petition for forbearance filed by Level 3 Communications with the FCC (WC Docket No. 3-266)
(2/8/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition letter to Senator Ted Stevens regarding petition for forbearance filed by Level 3 Communications with the FCC (WC Docket No 03-266)
(2/8/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release on Inouye Stevens Letter-- VoIP Leaders Urge Senators To Support Continuation of Pro-Innovations Policies: Ask Senators to Oppose Rate-Raising, Growth-Sapping, Innovation-Reducing Policy Change
(2/8/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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911 VON Coalition White Paper
(1/12/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Goals for VoIP letter to President George W. Bush
(1/10/2005) |
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PDF Format |
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VoIP Joint Reply Comments of Industry and Public Interest In the matter of Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act and Broadband Access and Services ET Docket #04-295 RM-10865
(12/21/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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Von Coalition Press Release: VoIP Leaders Announce Significant Progress on 9-1-1
(12/1/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Survey Highlights Progress on 9-1-1 for VoIP
(12/1/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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Jurisdiction White Paper:The FCC Commission has the authority to Preempt State Regulation of VOIP
(11/9/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release: VOIP Leaders Hail First Step Towards Unleasing Full Promise of New Technologies
(11/9/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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Joint Comments of Industry and Public Interest Before the FCC: In the Matter of Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act and Broadband Access and Service ET Docket #04-295
(11/8/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Jurisdiction letter to
FCC Chairman Powell
(11/2/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release: Cutting Edge VoIP Companies Applaud Congressional Leaders Vision
(10/5/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Comments before the Internal Revenue Service on excise tax of Voice over IP (VoIP)
(9/29/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release: VoIP Leaders Ask IRS to Hang-up on Idea of Applying 1898 War Tax to VoIP
(9/29/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release: VoIP Leaders Looking Forward to Working with FCC on Law Enforcement Issues
(8/4/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release: VoIP Leaders Support Bill to Unleash Full Promise of New Technologies
(6/16/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Letter-- Letter to Senator Sununu supporting the VoIP Regulatory Freedom Act
(6/15/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Whitepaper: Unleashing the Full Promise and Potential of Internet Voice Communication
(6/15/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release: VoIP Leaders ask FCC to Help Unleash Full Promise of New Technologies
(6/1/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition VoIP NPRM Comments
(5/28/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition Press Release -- VOIP Industry Coalition asks FCC to dismiss wiretap petition
(4/13/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition CALEA comments - April 12, 2004
(4/12/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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Cover Letter for CALEA Rulemaking Petition
(3/10/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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VON Coalition: DOJ/FBI.DEA CALEA Rulemaking Petition
(3/10/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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Letter to FCC Chairman Michael K Powell -- Regarding AT&T's Petition for Declaratory Ruling that AT&T's Phone-to-Phone IP Telephony Services are Exempt from access charges. WC Docket No. 02-361
(3/5/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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Testimony of Tom Evslin, Panelist, FCC VoIP Forum
(12/1/2003) |
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PDF Format |
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Press release of NENA and the VON Coalition, "Public Safety and Internet Leaders Connect on 911"
(12/1/2003) |
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Key elements for providing 911 service to VoIP users, as agreed upon by the National Emergency Number Association and members of the VoIP industry.
(12/1/2003) |
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PDF Format |
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Comments of the VON Coalition in response to the Investigation of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission into Voice over Internet Protocol as a Jurisdictional Service, M-00031707 (filed July 1, 2003)
(7/1/2003) |
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PDF Format |
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Comments of the VON Coalition in response to the Investigation of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio into Voice Services using Internet Protocol, Case No. 03-950-TP-COI (filed June 13, 2003)
(6/13/2003) |
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PDF Format |
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Reply Comments of the VON Coalition in response to the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service proceeding, CC Docket No. 96-45, regarding alternative methodologies for calculating contributions to the Universal Service Fund (filed April 18, 2003)
(4/18/2003) |
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PDF Format |
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Comments of the VON Coalition filed with the Federal Communications Commission in response to pulver.com's Petition for Declaratory Ruling that Free World Dialup is neither Telecommunications nor a Telecommunications Service, WC Docket No. 03-45 (filed March 14, 2003)
(3/14/2003) |
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PDF Format |
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Response to Public Notice released February 14, 2003 by the Wireline Competition Bureau
Petition for Declaratory ruling that pulver.com's Free World Dialup is neither Telecommunications nor a
Telecommunications Service
(3/14/2003) |
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PDF Format |
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Comments of the VON Coalition filed with the Federal Communications Commission in response to AT&T's Petition for Declaratory Ruling that its Phone-to-Phone IP Telephony Services are Exempt from Access Charges, WC Docket No. 02-361 (filed December 18, 2002)
(12/18/2002) |
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PDF Format |
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Reply Comments of the VON Coalition in response to the FCC's Universal Service proceeding, CC Docket No. 96-45, supporting a FCC proposal to assess contributions based on connections rather than end-user telecommunications revenues.
(5/13/2002) |
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PDF Format |
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White Paper on IP Voice Services filed by the VON Coalition with the Federal Communcations Commission in CC Docket 96-45, the Commission's Report to Congress on Universal Service.
(3/18/1998) |
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PDF Format |
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| Press Releases:
This section contains relevant press releases.
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The nation’s leading VoIP companies, on the cutting edge of developing and
delivering voice innovations, today launched a new initiative to advance regulatory policies that
enable Americans to enjoy the full promise and potential of VoIP. This new group of companies
said it will resist the erection of regulatory barriers that could stall VoIP while actively advancing a
policy framework that allows VoIP to deliver its many benefits.
(2/23/2004) |
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PDF Format |
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| VON Coalition Overview:
Documents which provide general information on the Coalition as well as periodic updates to members on activities and status.
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2002 Von Coalition Member Update.
NOTE - File is in PowerPoint format - Click WORD button below to download.
(10/3/2002) |
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Word Format |
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2001 Von Coalition Member Update.
NOTE - File is in PowerPoint format - Click WORD button below to download.
(10/2/2002) |
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Word Format |
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Please note that the documents have been retyped from the originals. As a result, some formatting changes may have occurred and may not be included.
