The D.C. Council is moving to solidify a ban on the regulation of Voice over Internet Protocol service, or VoIP, a form of telephone service using the Internet. Supporters say the ban will encourage companies to offer more VoIP services in the District, while some are skeptical of the need for the measure.
Legislation introduced last summer by Ward 3 Council Member Mary Cheh and at-large Council Member Kwame Brown passed in the Public Services and Consumer Affairs Committee Wednesday night.
“We have companies competing with each other vigorously now,” said Cheh, who added that the District should “let the technology develop and grow
… without getting in the way.”
Maryland and Virginia have already adopted similar legislation. If D.C. does not implement a ban, Cheh believes it will “retard and hold back available services.” Cheh said that VoIP services could save customers as much as half or more compared with standard services.
At least one council member has reservations. Ward 1 Council Member Jim Graham, who voted against the legislation Wednesday night, questions the need to forgo regulation. “We shouldn’t be bothering with this legislation. We’re pre-empted by the federal government from regulating in this area. … I don’t think we need to act at this time,” he said.
VoIP providers are, unsurprisingly, in favor of the legislation.
Verizon, which provides VoIP service called VoiceWing, feels that the legislation would provide “regulatory clarity,” Verizon spokeswoman Christy Reap said.
The “industry is anxious to see this in place,” Graham said. If the District were ever granted to authority to regulate, Graham didn’t know whether he would support regulations, but did note how “customer services take a backseat” when government was forbidden from regulating. So far, six council members have expressed support. Aside from Cheh and Brown, who introduced the legislation, Ward 7 Council Member Yvette Alexander, Ward 8 Council Member Marion Barry, and at-large Council Member David Catania have co-sponsored the bill. Ward Six Council Member Tommy Wells voted with Cheh and Brown to move the bill through the Public Services and Consumer Affairs Committee.
