FCC dials into protecting VoIP customers

Technology

FCC dials into protecting VoIP customers

Calling it a public safety issue, the Federal Communications Commission made a decision last month to protect VoIP customers who rely on the service to make phone...

Federal News Network Staff

June 9, 2009 6:59 pm

< a min read

Calling it a public safety issue, the Federal Communications Commission made a decision last month to protect VoIP customers who rely on the service to make phone calls.

For these customers, providers must now warn before discontinuing, reducing, or impairing services.

“Interconnected VoIP providers can no longer close shop without notice, leaving customers unexpectedly without phone service or recourse,” FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said.

“Today’s action is not merely about consumers’ convenience. It is a serious public safety matter. If a subscriber does not receive sufficient warning that their interconnected VoIP provider will cut off service, that consumer could well be left without telephone — and 911 — service.”

Adelstein says these protections are long overdue.

“We have seen interconnected VoIP service providers go out of business and strand consumers.”