NARUC, NASUCA, AARP Support Minnesota PUC Regulating VoIP
States and consumer advocates supported Minnesota regulation of VoIP, in an amicus curiae brief (in Pacer) filed Wednesday at the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission asked the court to reverse a federal district court…
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ruling that Charter’s VoIP service is an information service the state may not regulate (see 1708290028). “Charter’s service competes directly with TDM-based telecommunications services,” said NARUC and the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates: “Even the FCC readily acknowledges that consumers cannot distinguish between competing retail phone service offerings provided via TDM technology” and interconnected VoIP. The lower court’s conclusion was inconsistent with 8th Circuit and FCC precedent, NARUC and NASUCA said. “If upheld, the Order’s finding will eviscerate specific roles Congress assigned States, eliminating not just the MPUC’s authority to protect its citizens, but also sparking litigation over State operations across the country.” The AARP supported the PUC in another amicus brief (in Pacer), saying state regulation is critical to protecting the older people it represents.