Bill Text: NJ AR141 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges the FCC to classify interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service as telecommunications service under Title II of Communications Act of 1934.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-03-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee [AR141 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AR141-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman KEVIN J. ROONEY
District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges the FCC to classify interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service as telecommunications service under Title II of Communications Act of 1934.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission to classify interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.
Whereas, Traditional telephone service, which uses the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to transmit calls over copper wires, is classified as a "telecommunications service" under the Title II common carrier regulations of the Communications Act of 1934 (Title II), which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); and
Whereas, Under Title II, telephone service providers are required to, among other things, serve customers without discrimination, provide rates that are just and reasonable, preserve the privacy of certain customer information, and contribute to the federal Universal Service Fund (USF); and
Whereas, "Voice over Internet Protocol " or "VoIP " is a technology that enables real-time, two-way voice communications from the user's location using packet switching, known as Internet protocol, and can be accessed using a specific computer application or a telephone line that permits users to receive calls that originate or terminate on the PSTN; and
Whereas, VoIP technology that is connected to the PSTN is called interconnected VoIP service; and
Whereas, Because VoIP relies on technology that uses Internet protocol to transmit calls, instead of the analog transmission used in traditional telephone service, it is classified as an information service under Title I of the Communications Act of 1934 (Title I) and subject to less stringent regulation by FCC; and
Whereas, Title I permits the FCC to impose regulations only where it has subject matter jurisdiction over the service at issue, such as "promoting safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communications;" and
Whereas, Many telephone service providers are switching their traditional telephone networks to networks that use interconnected VoIP service, and because of this switch in technology, the FCC may regulate interconnected VoIP service only to the extent permissible under Title I; and
Whereas, Rather than order VoIP service to be classified as a telecommunications service under Title II, the FCC has regulated VoIP incrementally through several orders, which apply only to interconnected VoIP service; and
Whereas, This has allowed the FCC to require telephone service providers that provide interconnected VoIP service to, among other things, connect to local emergency centers on the Enhanced 9-1-1 network, to contribute to the USF, to maintain the privacy of certain customer information, and to meet certain federal disability access requirements; and
Whereas, Despite the FCC's effort to impose Title II regulation on interconnected VoIP service through several orders, VoIP service is still not regulated to the extent of traditional telephone service; and
Whereas, As more customers switch to interconnected VoIP service from traditional telephone service, telephone service providers should be held to the same telephone service standards that customers have come to expect from traditional telephone service under Title II; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper, and in the public interest, for this House to urge the FCC to classify interconnected VoIP telephone service as a telecommunications service under Title II to ensure that telephone service remains at the high standard set prior to this technology transition; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the Federal Communications Commission to classify interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure that customers receive the same telephone service, and telephone service providers are held to the same regulatory standards, that customers have come to expect from traditional telephone service under Title II.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Chairman and each Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution urges the Federal Communications Commission to classify interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure that customers receive the same telephone service, and telephone service providers are held to the same regulatory standards, that customers have come to expect from traditional telephone service under Title II. "VoIP " is a technology that enables real-time, two-way voice communications from the user's location using packet switching, known as Internet protocol, and can be accessed using a specific computer application or a telephone line that permits users to receive calls that originate or terminate on the public switched telephone network (PSTN). VoIP technology that is able to connect to the PSTN is called interconnected VoIP service.
