Industry weighs in on VoIP intervention

There are many concerns today about upcoming potential threats to this new technology. Amid reports that some cable companies may be intentionally downgrading service, there are further concerns that Congress and the FCC will intervene in such a way that technology is stifled. Here is a synopsis from 8x8 of a recent talk by their CEO, Bryan Martin:

Recently, I gave a keynote presentation at the California Communications Association (CalCom) Annual Conference in Monterey, California. After providing an overview of the California VoIP industry and 8x8’s Packet8 service offerings in particular, I closed by arguing that it is vital for California to take the lead in opposing the application of archaic telecommunications regulations to Internet Phone Service.

Policymakers must understand that VoIP is an Internet application that delivers unique and enhanced capabilities. They need to be aware that Internet phone service is beginning to drive consumer demand for broadband (high-speed) Internet connections.

A traditionally regulated structure for VoIP and other broadband applications will stifle innovation, development and deployment to consumers. This was demonstrated last year when many VoIP companies put new service offerings on the back burner while they focused resources on implementing Federal-mandated Enhanced 911 (emergency response) capabilities.

Use of the same regulations that govern traditional phone service would stifle deployment while missing opportunities to reform the structure and implementation of important social service programs and their funding (such as Universal Service). These programs need to be updated to bring them in line with 21st century technologies.

Policymakers need to practice restraint and employ regulation only to support important public safety and other social goals, and only to the extent that such regulation is specifically tailored to the realities of the Internet world.

I encourage everyone who enjoys all the benefits of Internet phone service to make sure that their local, state and federal lawmakers know that they should oppose unnecessary and archaic regulations so as not to limit or kill this revolution in telecommunications.

It's less frustrating if they don't let you try to sign up!

Following up on the previous post, AT&T CallVantage was not taking new orders until last night. Or at least, it appeared to be taking them last night. But now an new problem arises.

Upon going through the signup process, selecting my number and entering an address and phone number for 911 purposes (?), I came upon a message saying:

We're sorry, AT&T CallVantage Service cannot confirm 911 Service for your phone line(s) at this Service Address. AT&T CallVantage Service can only be used at a confirmed registered Service Address, because this address is used for dispatching 911 Service.
Please check and re-enter your address. If you haven't already done so, you can also try selecting a telephone number that is local to this address. If you are confident that the address you entered is correct, and you cannot find a suitable phone number, we cannot offer AT&T CallVantage Service to you at this time. Thank you for your interest in AT&T CallVantage Service.

Now, let's think about this. I enter my perfectly good Delray telephone number, straight off my BellSouth bill, and I get this message saying it is no good at all. But what if I had no other number anywhere - just a mobile phone or another VoIP number, perhaps? Many prospective customers could be very well in this situation. Clearly the lawyers are running this dinosaur even under the new "improved" version.

But, here's the clincher..."No worries," I say, "I will just call support." Well, it isn't quite that straightforward. First they want to know the number I am calling about. Duh! They never gave me one! On hold awhile, waiting to see what the IVR will do, it finally sends me to a message saying to call back between normal business hours of 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. OK, Vonage support is really bad, but it seems that if you have a problem with your AT&T service outside "normal business hours" theirs is nonexistent!

How can a company with the resources and abilities of AT&T or SBC or whoever they are, because they have been in business in one form or another for over 100 years, be so absolutely mind-numbingly obtuse? Please - I hope someone from AT&T CallVantage reads this!

Status of AT&T CallVantage

Something is going on at AT&T. New users trying to sign up and/or activate their adapters are greeted by a screen reading:

We're sorry but we are unable to process your order at this time. We are currently undertaking a review of our systems and expect to complete this review soon. We apologize for this temporary inconvenience. Please try again soon.

A call to support confirmed that indeed a "review" is taking place, but no details were offered. We were told that every device in the network had to be checked, and it could be as much as 2 weeks before any orders or even changes could be processed! This is a huge loss in new sales revenue, especially for a company that was recently merged.

Time will tell, but it will be interesting to see what comes of it all.