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VON Coalition Overview

• Mission and Activity
• Structure and Membership
• Membership Benefits
• Contact Information

Before 1995, the Internet was almost unknown. It was used at that time primarily by academics, for E-mail and information exchange. The rest of the world communicated as it always has, by phone and fax over switched connections provided by the phone company.

Today, the situation is radically different. The Internet is a pervasive and vital global presence, and is used for real time voice, data, and video communication. It is used by companies and individuals to exchange information, collaborate with colleagues across time zones, and sell products and services. Companies have innovated products and services based on the Internet Protocol at a rate rarely witnessed before. Today, via VoIP, 10's of millions of minutes per day are traveling to over 80% of the world.

So what's the problem? Just this. Legislators across the globe examine Internet Telephony with the same tautologies and inclinations they have relied on through history to deliver and regulate basic switched voice services. History, however, has proven that regulation of this nature materially and adversely impacts technological, business process and other innovation, hinders the growth of open, competitive markets and places unnecessary burdens on companies eager to improve competitive position. Therefore, any regulatory decisions must be made after discourse and deliberation if the growing Internet Telephony market is to achieve its potential.

Jeff Pulver, a leading VON expert, founded the VON (Voice on the Net) Coalition in 1996. Today, members of the VON Coalition are united in the viewpoint that the IP Telephony industry should remain as free of governmental regulations as possible.

The organization, which incorporated as a non-profit company in the USA in May 1998, serves as the primary organization worldwide to maintain ongoing dialogue with legislators, regulators, and other policymakers concerning voice over Internet technologies, practices, products, and benefits. For example, the VON Coalition has worked diligently to establish advocacy within the current administration. Through relationships developed with government agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the VON Coalition has created a forum for VON participants to articulate the benefits of Internet Telephony and define concerns regarding the effect regulation of the Voice over Net industry would impose, and to act on these concerns. As such, if you are a developer or user of VON products and services, The VON Coalition is where you should be.

Mission and Activity

• Education of regulators, legislators and media worldwide about voice on the net opportunities, technologies, products, benefits, and practices;
• Recommending action on regulation and legislation that affects the interests of the voice on the net industry;
• Providing a forum for discussion by the members of the voice on the net industry, to educate on important legal and regulatory policy issues and encourage the exchange of ideas.

The organization's success is measured by an active membership, a Board of Directors that represents the industry, and a structure that emphasizes action over documents.

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Structure and Membership

The VON Coalition is structured as an open, non-profit 501 (c) (6) organization in accordance with the laws of the Internal Revenue Service in the USA. This structure ensures that, in the event the Coalition ceases to exist, any assets left after satisfying liabilities can only be transferred to another non-profit 501 (c) (6) organization.
The organization is controlled by its Voting Members, who annually elect a Board of Directors to oversee the management of the Coalition and establish its operating policies. Voting Members also ratify the VON Coalition's annual budget and any changes to its corporate by-laws, ensuring that any changes to rights and privileges are ratified by a majority of Members.

The VON Coalition maintains two membership levels, Sponsoring and Participating. A Sponsoring Member company, which pays annual fees of US$20,000, will be highlighted in all of the Coalition's collateral, advertising, marketing materials, and web site content. In addition, the designation can be used in Sponsoring Companies' own collateral.

Sponsoring companies hold full voting rights and privileges associated with VON Coalition membership. The Participating membership carries an annual fee of US$6,000, and Participating Members enjoy full voting rights and privileges in the VON Coalition.

The VON Coalition has already achieved a great deal as an ad hoc body. The membership fees received by the VON Coalition will enable the organization to continue its efforts to shape policy concerning Internet Telephony around the world.

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Membership Benefits

Membership in The VON Coalition is open to any organization that completes a registration form and pays member dues annually. Any organization involved in the development, delivery, or use of Internet Telephony products and services should strongly consider joining.

Membership in the VON Coalition provides numerous benefits for its members, including:

• The opportunity to influence public policy;
• The opportunity to vote on key decisions and actions of the VON Coalition;
• Access to the latest worldwide information regarding the status of IP Telephony;
• Exposure to key industry stakeholders, task forces and policymakers;
• Access to the VON Coalition database and other members-only information;
• Affiliation with other companies and individuals who support your views concerning Internet Telephony regulation.

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Contact Information

To obtain more information, please contact:

VON Coalition Administrator
Beverly Orr
VON Coalition, Inc.
1718 M Street, NW
PMB #336
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: +1 202-387-5282
Fax: +1 202-387-5319
E-mail: beverly@essential.org

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