Telecommunications Bill of 2005
 | This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (November 2010) |
The Telecommunications Bill of 2005[1] was a proposed United States telecommunications law that would have made regulatory changes to Internet service providers, voice over IP providers, and Internet video services.[2]
Proposals[edit]
In its current form, the law proposes to keep VoIP services and Broadband Video services from state regulation by way of the interstate commerce clause, keeping regulation of these areas exclusively to the federal government.
The bill proposes adding several new requirements to VoIP services, including number portability, interconnection requirements, E911 services, and telecommunications relay requirements. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is instructed to consider assessing universal service fees.[3] It also proposes several new requirements for Broadband Video services, including rating blocking ability, public-access and other must-carry requirements, ownership and franchise controls, Emergency Alert System requirements, closed captioning, and several other requirements.[4]
It is not clear whether terms such as "VoIP" and "Broadband Video" are meant to cover all users of software such as Microsoft NetMeeting, Asterisk PBX, or RealVideo. Currently, the bill defines its terms broadly and doesn't appear to make exclusions for the wide variety of noncommercial or free services, content, and software that could come under its registration and regulation requirements. The bill specifically mentions that free services and content are included in its regulation requirements.[5][6][7] An earlier FCC rule regarding 911 requirements for VoIP services drew finer distinctions, stating that only services which interconnect with the traditional phone system are subject to the FCC's new requirements.
Timeline[edit]
On November 9, 2005, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing regarding a staff draft made available. By March 30, 2006, the Committee had held a hearing to consider a Committee Print on the COPE Act of 2006.[8] By June 12, 2006, the House had passed the bill to the Senate, where it was received and read twice, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.[9] On September 29, 2006, the Senate issued their Report,[10] and placed the bill on the Senate legislative calendar.[11][12]
See also[edit]
- Telecommunications Act of 1996
- Communications Act of 1934
- COPE Act of 2006 (Communications Act of 2006)
- Community Broadband Act of 2007
References[edit]
- ↑ COPE Act of 2006 (Communications Act of 2006)
- ↑ Blankenhorn, Dana. Gittin' While the Gittin's Good Archived 2008-07-04 at the Wayback Machine 19 September 2005.
- ↑ Sec. 206. Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine Revision of universal service requirements. Staff discussion draft bill, 15 Sep 05.
- ↑ Sec. 304. Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine Application of video regulations to broadband video service providers. Staff discussion draft bill, 15 Sep 05
- ↑ Sec. 2. Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine Definitions; (a) Terms. Staff discussion draft bill, 15 Sep 05
- ↑ VOIP Service Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine. Staff discussion draft bill, 15 Sep 05
- ↑ Broadband Video Service Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine. Staff discussion draft bill, 15 Sep 05
- ↑ House Energy and Commerce Committee. Hearing to consider Committee Print on the COPE Act of 2006 Archived 2007-11-29 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Library of Congress. H.R.5252: All Actions
- ↑ Senate Report 109-355 29 Sep. 2006 Document, description of the Communications Act of 2006
- ↑ Bill Summary and Status
- ↑ H.R.5252-RS - 29 Sep. 2006 - 109-355.[1] Communications Act of 2006 (text of the proposed legislation)
Sources[edit]
- TheFutureFaster.com, an industry print and television campaign to encourage end-user support for the bill
- House Committee on Energy and Commerce
- November 9, 2005 staff draft bill (PDF, HTML, TXT), committee hearing (HTML, Real streaming, Real download[permanent dead link]), summary (HTML)
- September 15, 2005 draft bill (PDF, HTML, Text), summary (PDF, HTML)
- June 3, 2005 FCC Order regarding E911 requirements for VoIP services (PDF), and related statements
- TechLawJournal - FCC Classifies DSL as Information Service, NCTA v. Brand X
- Committee on Energy and Commerce - Compilation of Selected Acts - Communications Law
External links[edit]
- TheRegister - US bill heralds end of walled gardens
- Heritage Foundation - House Telecom Rewrite Needs a Rewrite
- PCWorld - Plan Treats All Broadband Providers Alike
- WiFiPlanet - House May Deregulate Broadband
- ZDNet news - Congress releases draft broadband bill[permanent dead link]
- Reuters - US House panel staff unveil draft new telecom bill
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