Public Knowledge, AT&T Weigh in With Hill On IP Trials

In prepared testimony for a House Communications Subcommittee on the transition from traditional voice to IP-delivered telecommunications, Public Knowledge SVP Harold Feld says the fab five values policymakers should make touchstones for the Internet protocol (IP) transition are: 1) Service to All Americans, 2) Interconnection and Competition, 3) Consumer Protection, 4) Reliability, and 5) Public Safety.

AT&T obviously sees it differently, but it gives Feld credit too. In his prepared testimony AT&T SVP James Cicconi complimented Feld on "identifying the key consumer protections needed for a successful IP transition. We may end up differing on details," he said, "but their framework is sound. Clearly the fundamental principles of universal connectivity, interconnection, consumer protection, reliability and public safety are hallmarks of our Nation’s commitment to communications and cannot be lost in this process."