FCC to Explore Giving VoIP Operators Direct Access to Numbers
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski circulated a draft order Wednesday proposing limited trials allowing VoIP providers direct access to numbers for set periods in a few unspecified markets, with regular reporting back to the commission, agency officials said. Genachowski also circulated an NPRM and an NOI further exploring questions about giving VoIP companies like Vonage direct access to numbers. All three items would have to be approved by commissioners.
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VoIP operators now must partner with a traditional phone company to obtain numbers. Genachowski hopes giving VoIP providers direct access will ultimately make the process more efficient, which could lead to new services, such as high-quality HD voice calls and new cloud services that make it possible to integrate VoIP calling with security and other Web services, officials said.
The NPRM asks questions about the appropriate transition period, on protections that would need to be in place for consumers and on number exhaust issues, officials said. The NOI asks more sweeping questions about how numbering should work in the future in an Internet Protocol world.
"This item would advance our ongoing agency-wide effort to modernize our rules for today’s broadband marketplace, while promoting competition, protecting consumers, and ensuring public safety,” said an emailed statement from the commission. “Starting with the National Broadband Plan, and continuing with major reforms across all the Commission’s Bureaus and offices, including the Commission’s Open Internet rules, and its once-in-a-generation overhaul of the USF and [intercarrier compensation] systems, we've been moving aggressively to update our rules for today’s markets. Consistent with these actions, allowing VoIP providers to obtain telephone numbers directly (and not through intermediate providers, as is generally the case today) has the potential to fuel innovation and promote competition, at the same time we ensure calls are routed reliably and efficiently, protect public safety, and guard against exhaust of limited numbers."
VoIP providers including Vonage and Bandwidth.com have sought FCC waivers giving them direct access to numbers. In a May 7 filing Vonage said it was willing to address concerns raised by the states and others. “Vonage has long sought direct access to numbering resources and has demonstrated that good cause exists for Vonage’s request for waiver of the Commission’s numbering rules,” the filing said (http://bit.ly/YdhBQF). “Vonage will continue to route traffic consistent with existing industry guidelines and practices using commercially available routing solutions. Vonage’s waiver will likewise not affect intercarrier compensation, as the Commission has already set clear rules that will govern Vonage’s contemplated arrangements. Finally, Vonage notes that the Commission is more than competent to determine whether a petitioner is qualified to meet the responsibilities of gaining direct access to numbers.”