AT&T: Google Is The Enemy Of Nuns > Anything that takes google down a notch is good.....

reply to Karl Bode

Re: Anything that takes google down a notch is good.....

I think the argument is quite clear and the example they used attempts to underline what the issue is and what the repercussions are if "telephone" providers randomly decide whether or when to route your calls. It is analogous to the i-net neutrality argument Google and co are making against ISPs with two very important differences. The first, ISPs still route your traffic where as Google blocks the phone calls. The second, there are laws and regulations in this country governing phone calls, but there really aren't any governing internet access.

reply to verolom
I really can't tell if you're being sarcastic or serious...

If you're being serious, I'll raise the same claim against you based upon your comment and add to it, you not having a clear understanding of how Google Voice works.

Google is NOT regulated. VoIP providers are NOT regulated. They have no governmental obligation to provide phone service to anyone or terminate calls to everywhere.

Naturally AT&T is going to want to support their business interests, but they're in no way looking out for consumers. Let the FCC allow any regulated phone provider decide for themselves if they'll continue to support these rural providers and you'll see how quickly "Ma and Pa" will lose contact with their city dwelling kinfolk.

this is exactly right.

i say let them block these conference services. as far as I am concerned the call never even makes it off the voip network and onto the PSTN. which is perfectly legal because VOIP is NOT regulated. just because you started the call on PSTN does not mean that it is a completely PSTN call. it is PSTN -> VOIP -> PSTN. when you call the blocked numbers it never makes the 3rd segment, therefore perfectly legal.