Congress, FCC Deciding How To Handle Net Calls
POSTED: 2:34 p.m. EST February 25, 2004
You can use voice-over-IP technology to make phone calls on the Internet. But those in charge of the systems don't want to come under the same rules as traditional phone companies.
And those concerns are getting a hearing on Capitol Hill.
Lawmakers and the head of the Federal Communications Commission say having government regulation of Internet calls could stifle the emerging industry.
Congress and the FCC are continuing discussions whether to regulate the new service -- or how much to regulate it.
There are some 175,000 subscribers to VoIP services. Major telecommunications companies have announced that they are going to expand their offerings to business.
In December, AT&T announced that it plans to bring the option to consumers in the top 100 telephone markets.
Learn: How VoIP Works
Learn: How VoIP Works
Previous Story:
- December 11, 2003: AT&T Wants To Bring Internet Phones To Masses
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
