Source: voipcentral.org

The federal appeals court has upheld a FCC ruling that requires Internet phone service providers like Vonage to provide law enforcement agencies. It will force VoIP providers into agreement with same regulatory polices. These polices are currently applied under Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act for conventional phone services.

Universities challenged the FCCs decision alongwith the implementing technologies that facilitates remote wiretaps. Critics have also challenged the necessity of remote wiretapping mechanism for VoIP. If law enforcements agents have proper warrant; they can install inquiring mechanisms on site.

Private advocates are arguing that expanding CALEA to digital information services will make easy for the federal government to tie phone communications into its existing automated domestic supervisions systems.

This ruling is somewhat different, since CALEA is clearly sates that providers are excused. The broadband providers have to confirm with CALEA because their Internet voice communication services are distinct from their data services.

Via: arstechnica

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied a motion filed two weeks ago by a group of Internet telephone companies who claim the regulations are unreasonable.
The e911 requirements were reported here on this blog a few times in the past, read here, here, here and here.
In May, the FCC ordered providers of Internet-based phone calls, commonly called Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, to certify that their customers will be able to reach an emergency dispatcher when they call 911. Dispatchers also must be able to identify the caller’s phone number and location. Subsequently, date got pushed many a times and was set to Nov 28 with certain guidelines. Read this about the new FCC site Dedicated to e911 issues.

Jason Talley, president and chief executive of Overland Park, Kan.-based Nuvio Inc., which filed the motion for a stay on Nov. 1, said the FCC’s decision ultimately reduces alternatives for customers and stifles innovation.

Three other companies that later joined Nuvio’s suit, Lightyear Network Solutions LLC; McLean, Primus Telecommunications Group Inc.’s subsidiary Lingo Inc.; and i2 Telecom International Inc. will continue to pursue their appeal of the regulations.
Many other news sites carry the news, since VOIP and IP Telephony is now mainstream media items.