Court backs FCC exemption of Web phone service

COURT BACKS FCC EXEMPTION OF WEB PHONE SERVICE
[SOURCE: Reuters]
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on Wednesday upheld a decision that exempted Internet telephone companies like Vonage from many state regulations and oversight, backing a 2004 decision by the Federal Communications Commission that exempted Internet telephone companies from rate regulation and from being required to seek certification before offering service. "After carefully considering the positions presented by both sides of this dispute, we conclude the FCC did not arbitrarily or capriciously determine state regulation of VoIP service would interfere with valid federal rules or policies," the court decision said. The FCC said the court decision affirms the agency's authority to act to provide for public safety by requiring access to 911 emergency help, preserve universal service and "further other critical goals in an equitable, nondiscriminatory and competitively neutral manner."
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSWAT00718120070321

* Court Backs FCC on VoIP Regulation
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