Posted on 02/14/2005 6:27:20 PM PST by holymoly
Internet phone provider Vonage said it's asked U.S. utility regulators to investigate allegations that a "major" broadband operator is deliberately blocking Internet phone calls.
Any investigation and its findings will add more tension to the relationships between providers of high-speed Internet and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), software that lets Internet connections double as inexpensive phone lines.
Vonage recently met with Federal Communications Commission representatives, said Vonage spokeswoman Brooke Schulz, to discuss an instance of "egregious, alarming and harmful port blocking." Port blocking is when Internet providers prevent traffic of certain kinds from traveling through their Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
Schulz confirmed earlier accounts of the complaint reported by Advanced IP Pipeline. She would not identify the operator or the FCC officials involved in the discussion. An FCC spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
This isn't the first time a VoIP operator has complained to the FCC about possible predatory practices by broadband providers that also sell their own version of VoIP service. In September, Nuvio, a Net phone service provider, asked federal regulators to ensure broadband providers that also sell phone services don't engage in predatory practices to stifle competition.
What ya wanna bet it was Time Warner?
I hate 'em with a passion, much like that idiotic, gay "roaming gnome" from Travelocity.
We run our business on Vonage using Time Warner's commercial RoadRunner, so it's not them.
However.... I cancelled because after 4 months of hell trying to get my number switched over, well they just couldn't get the job done. Si I just told them to forget it. They DO NOT return phone calls and they act like they could care less.
In a word Vonage SUCKS!!
I am now looking at packet8, it's cheaper too.
It's not a regulated utility, as is the local phone company. They simply provide a web-based service.
I'd keep a conventional landline until the 911 issues are ironed out for cellular and VoIP services.
I can be wrong thats fine.
Kinda glad its not TWC since I work for em but it sure sounded like something they'd do.
I was thinking Verizon. They have a history of shafting competitors.
I love their ads. Some of the "stupid" tricks are really that. Stupid, and funny.
or the Giant comcast
Maybe. I've never had cable broadband, but I've heard stories.
I have had Packet8 for about a year now. I love it and it saves me hundreds a month in long distance to Canada. When I ordered it, it was the only VoIP carrier that included Canada.
Makes the story pretty damned useless.
I know that Cox Communications blocks ports for SMTP for email accounts that aren't theirs. I am completely unable to send email on my accounts that aren't web-based. I've tried various workarounds--to no avail. I'd consider switching to a different provider, but Cox has a monopoly for cable service here and I don't want to go back to DSL or dial-up.
As a Comcast employee I'm wondering the same thing. I know we have plans to launch our own VoIP system in the very near future.
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