VoIP with an English light touch
by James Gattuso on September 8, 2004
The U.S. isn’t the only country struggling with decisions on how (or whether?) to regulate VOiP. Internet Daily reports today that OfCom, Britain’s telecom regulator, opened an inquiry on the subject Monday. It’s “initial views” are that the service needs a light touch. It argued against requiring standard service features, saying consumers should be able to make informed decisions for themselves about what they want. Perhaps surprisingly, it even argued against mandated “999” service (that’s British for “911”). Seems like good news from old Europe.
James Gattuso / James Gattuso is a Senior Research Fellow in Regulatory Policy in the Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation. Gattuso also leads the Enterprise and Free Markets Initiative at Heritage, with responsiblity for a range of regulatory and market issues. Prior to joining Heritage, he served as Vice President for Policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and also as Vice President for Policy Development with Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE). From 1990 to 1993, he was Deputy Chief of the Office of Plans and Policy at the Federal Communications Commission. From May 1991 to June 1992, he was detailed from the FCC to the office of Vice President Dan Quayle, where he served as Associate Director of the President's Council on Competitiveness. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Dana, 8 year-old son, Peter (whom he relies upon to operate his VCR), and his four year-old daughter Lindsey (who does the DVD player.) He has no known hobbies, but is not nearly as boring as he seems.
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