fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| reply to knightmb
Re: Comcast VoIP needs a little work
Well, I have two sides to this argument.
On one side, if the state wants to regulate Voip service, then ALL VoIP service is regualted. They can't pick and choose who will and won't be regulated. To be honest, since it's still data packets, I doubt they CAN regulate it.. it's an "information service" and not telephone service. As TKjunkmail said, I agree that the FCC will have to rule on this.. and until then, the state is SOL.
On the OTHER side, I can see comcast, or cable in general, being regualted since the cable operator not only handles the VoIP adaptor, they also carry the call's transport as well. Afterall, this is STILL phone service, managed by the company from point to point - or to the point it's passed off. So, in my book, it's an incumbant phone provider.
With this argument comes a great trade off though and cana nd WILL change the landscape on phone as well. The bell system, for one, can no longer be considered an "incumbant" or the "dominant phone provider" since there would be an over builder - cable. Second, if they want to rule this service as a incumbant and regulate it and no longer call it an informational data service, then the same has to be said for telephone carrying IPTV service. It can't be called an inforamtion service. Additionally, if phone would be treated the same as cable tv, then when they get state wide franchises, cable should AUTOMATICALLY be classified as a state wide operator as well and IMMEDIATELY convert to a statewide, and not have to wait to convert.
afterall, fair is fair.
I do belive, however, that I'd rather see the state regulate the service. But, it can ultimately drive the cost up, HOPEFULLY cause the service to be more reliable and hold them accountable to outtages.. but I just hate the states tacking on fees just to say they are regulating the service.
Additionally, if they want to regulate the service, I'd rather see the state require outside RSU devices and not the internat eMTA adapters they are using new. (Same as cable uses for digital phone service)..
basically, if they do regulate the service, I see there needing to be MUCH change in many areas.. and not just a simple "were going to regualte you and collect money from you" crap like the states and governments like to do.
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