Local Telco Pays Fine For Blocking Vonage

from the here's-a-slap-on-the-wrist dept

Thu, Mar 3rd 2005 4:01pm — Mike Masnick

While some continue to worry about telcos harming independent VoIP providers, it looks like the FCC decided to take some action against the rural telcos blocking Vonage. It turns out that the telco in question was in North Carolina. The company has agreed to pay a $15,000 fine and agree not to block VoIP for 30 months. First of all, while it's nice to see a quick resolution, it's still not clear whether or not this telco actually violated any laws. The FCC still hasn't done anything about network neutrality -- so what did this telco actually violate? Second, assuming they did violate some rule, $15,000 certainly seems like a slap on the wrist. Finally, why ban them from blocking for only 30 months? If it's wrong, it's wrong. What happens 30 months from now when they start blocking again?

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5 Comments

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Paul E. McArdle, 4 Mar 2005 @ 6:13am

VOIP blockage
Is Time-Warner, in markets where its Road Runner
ISP is selling internet- based local and long
distance phone service, blocking competitors
such as Skype?
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Griffon, 4 Mar 2005 @ 10:31am

No Subject Given
Mallik notes that it was not a fine but rather a "contribution" to the treasury department :p.
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Nate, 5 Mar 2005 @ 10:03am

No Subject Given
Still think it's absolutely ridiculous that Vonage (as well as the other parasitic VoIP offerings) fights tooth and nail to keep from being regulated as a phone company and then turn around and complain when someone blocks an IP port. Last time I checked IP was DATA, not VOICE. Madison was not blocking any voice phone calls at all, just particular data traffic on their own data network.

Something about cake being eaten comes to mind
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Paul, 9 Jun 2006 @ 6:45pm

As a user it's my damned IP port not the telco's - to be used as I want so long as it does not harm others.
These Telcos and CableCos do not have my interests at heart, video - voice - "data" all of it and stepping on it is WRONG.
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eliot, 22 Jun 2006 @ 9:43pm

Re: VOIP blockage
I believe this is the case.
We began having problems 4 months or 5 months after signing up with VoiceEclipse. We'd had no previous issues. Then suddenly - major latency.
Causinging the phone not to ring - or to go straight to voice mail and other problems, as in unable to place calls (silence - no ring when dialed)
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