[*-CA] Re: Jeff Pulver and the CRTC

[Jim Van Meggelen]

 wrote:
> Jim Van Meggelen wrote:
>>  wrote:
>> 
>>> I am glad that Pulver's concerns (our concerns) registered with the
>>> commission. 
>>> 
>>> Excerpt:
>>> 
>>> -begin-
>>> 
>>> 3197 COMMISSIONER COLVILLE: So, is it your view then if we saw that
>>> sort of preferential treatment in terms of packetization, that we
>>> should take regulatory action to deal with that?
>>> 
>>> 3198 MR. PULVER: Yes.
>> 
>> 
>> I hope that they follow the lead of the FCC, and treat VoIP like
>> every other type of data on the net: i.e. not really part of their
>> mandate. 
> 
> I dunno. I read the transcript (well, portions of it) before I had a
> coffee this morning but... Don't you think Pulver had contradictory
> messages? He said things like: The net will take care of
> itself and that
> regulating VoIP just because it is "acoustic" is absurd, but
> then here
> he is agreeing with the Commissioner that regulation would be
> in order
> if those that wield the power to exert packet preference did
> so. If VoIP
> is dependent upon unencumbered delivery (and it is) then why is it
> absurd that a third-party ensures an even playing field for
> the kinds of
> innovation that Pulver is chapioning?

I guess the way I'm reading it, regulating VoIP as a telephony service
is not desirable. Regulating network providers to prevent them from
filtering traffic (ultimately not just VoIP) might be desirable, should
it be demonstrated that such was occurring.

It raises interesting questions, as I have heard that some network
providers do in fact filter types of traffic they do not wish to
support. One hopes that a properly competitive environment would sort
this out; otherwise, regulation may be needed.

Perhaps the role of organizations such as the FCC and CRTC will evolve
into overseeing IP network providers to define what limits they are
allowed to place on their customer's data. Does your carrier have the
right to eavesdrop on your data and determine what is appropriate?

Pulver seems to advocate that less regulation is needed, not more; until
such time as the nature of what VoIP is becomes more widely known. He's
not against regulation per se, just not for its own sake.


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