E-MAILS/SCRIPTS FOR LEGISLATORS ON VOIP DEREGULATION
Rep./Sen. XXXXX,
I wanted to bring your attention to legislation of great concern to my business and the
telecommunications industry. Recently, large wireless carriers have promoted legislation (HSB 590) that
would deregulate Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services. I would urge you to RESIST this
legislation for a few reasons.
First, the industry is transitioning to Internet Protocol. However, we believe all voice services should be
regulated equally regardless of the network used to deliver it.
This legislation would create an unfair advantage for VOIP-based providers. Telecommunications is a
highly regulated industry while the Internet is not. Offering favorable treatment to providers that
deliver the same services through a deregulated channel does not make for a level playing field. The
FCC is analyzing how to transition this in a way that encourages migration to VOIP without penalizing
those who cannot yet afford to upgrade. Keep in mind that Iowa has the most telephone companies in
the nation. Fair competition is critical! While many of our companies have embraced VoIP technology
and invested in it, this is an issue of fairness.
The Iowa Utilities Board in its 2013 Notice of Inquiry examining the issues relating to network transition
toward VOIP among other issues facing the Iowa telecommunications industry recommended AGAINST
making any changes to the current regulatory approach.
Please contact me if you have any questions, but I hope you will oppose this legislation. Thank you for
your consideration.
Rep./Sen. XXXX – I just wanted to write briefly about some legislation that will impact my business and
my business’ ability to serve my customers fairly with quality . . . and affordable telecommunications
services. I am opposed to HSB 590 and if it comes in front of your committee, I hope you will oppose it
too because it’s bad, slanted policy at best. It will give providers who offer telecommunications services
through Voice Over Internet Protocol channels an unfair regulatory advantage.
The key issue here is fairness. Are we going to let bigger, out-of-state carriers dictate regulation of
Internet Protocol technology in Iowa telecommunications? There is no doubt that our industry is
modernizing and moving in this direction. But you have to consider the competitive landscape in Iowa
with 130-plus phone companies, all delivering the same services over different channels, it is a slippery
slope if we give some companies regulatory advantages over others. While many of our companies have
embraced VoIP technology and invested in it, this is an issue of fairness.
It is valid to be discussing the industry moving in the direction of Voice Over Internet Protocol
technology, but it will take time for everyone to get there. The Iowa Utilities Board Inquiry process has
been used to gather the full impact of implementing a transition path and it recommended against
making these regulatory changes.
This legislation would also really complicate the rural carriers' abilities to recover any access revenue we
may be due from larger carriers for traffic they run over our network.
Rep./Sen. XXXX – my company is XXXXXX and we proudly provide many customers in a variety of rural
XXXXX areas with quality Internet services. These are folks who might not otherwise have access to this
service. I hope you will consider my comments as you review this legislation. Thank you for your time
and interest.
Rep./Sen. XXXXX,
I know you are very busy in the heart of the legislative session, but I feel so strongly about some
potential legislation that I wanted to contact you. This legislation (HSB 590) could have a major impact
on our company’s ability to provide our customers – mainly rural – quality telecommunications services
that are very important to their homes and businesses.
I am the general manager of XXXXXXXX and we provide service to rural exchange areas in XXXXXX
counties.
Any legislative proposal to deregulate Voice Over Internet Protocol communication services will offer
those providers an unfair advantage in this competitive marketplace. While many of our companies
have embraced VoIP technology and invested in it, this is an issue of fairness.
This proposed legislation is part of a coordinated effort at the federal and state level by the largest
carriers to evade regulation. Thus, it would seem to make more sense for the state to see were the FCC
comes out on these issues in its very active consideration of them right now before "jumping the gun" to
deregulate these services.
Regulation plays a critical role in protecting against market failures in communications systems -- and
what happens when no clear regulation applies to some providers of communications services and not
others? Basic calls, calls to reach 911, important business communications and contacts among family
members can go “uncompleted”. We are experiencing a terrible problem with this issue in rural areas
currently and enforcement should be kept in Iowa with the Utilities Board.
I hope you will join us in opposing this legislation.
Rep./Sen. XXXXXX,
My company is XXXX and we serve XXXX areas with phone, Internet and wireless services. I wanted to
bring your attention to legislation (HSB 590) of great concern to my business, the telecommunications
industry as a whole and most importantly – our customers.
The Iowa Communications Alliance has registered in opposition to legislation that seems to have some
momentum in the Capitol these days to deregulate Internet Protocol communication services. I hope
you will join our members in opposing this legislation.
First, the industry is transitioning to Internet Protocol. However, we believe all voice services should be
regulated equally regardless of the network used to provide it.
Offering favorable treatment to providers that deliver the same services through a deregulated channel
does not make for a level playing field.
Please contact me if you have any questions and thank you for your consideration. I hope you will join
us in our position on this issue.
Rep./Sen. XXXXX,
My name is XXXXX and I own an independent telecommunications company in XXXXX. We serve rural
areas in XXXXXX with phone, Internet and digital television services. I wanted to bring your attention to
legislation of great concern to my business and the telecommunications industry. Recently, large
wireless carriers have promoted legislation (HSB 590) that would deregulate Internet Protocol (IP)
services. I would urge you to oppose this legislation for a few reasons.
First, the industry is transitioning to Internet Protocol. However, we believe all voice services should be
regulated equally regardless of the network used to deliver it.
This legislation would create an unfair advantage for IP-based providers. Telecommunications is a highly
regulated industry. Offering favorable treatment to providers that deliver the same services through a
deregulated channel does not make for a level playing field. Keep in mind that Iowa has the most
telephone companies in the nation. Fair competition is critical!
The Iowa Utilities Board just opened a notice taking a look at the issues relating to network transition
toward IP among other issues facing the Iowa telecommunications industry. Please contact me if you
have any questions, but I hope you will oppose this legislation. Thank you for your consideration of my
communication.
Rep./Sen. XXXXX,
Please hear my concerns regarding legislation that will impact my company. Recently proposed
legislation (HSB 590) would deregulate Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services. Please oppose this
legislation.
VOIP is good technology when everyone is accountable for the quality of the delivery in service. Many
in our industry embrace it. However, it is my belief that low-cost VOIP providers are responsible for the
problems we encounter in getting calls completed. The Utilities Board needs to be available to resolve
issues when carriers are not doing their part. While many of our companies have embraced VoIP
technology and invested in it, this is an issue of fairness.
Consumers and carriers count on the reliability of an interconnected network. By deregulating VOIP,
you will diminish the confidence in the ability of that network to deliver calls. Thank you for your
consideration.
Rep./Sen. XXXXX,
I hope you will oppose (HSB 590). This legislation would deregulate Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
services which will not be good for consumers or carriers expecting quality voice service.
Many companies have embraced VOIP technology, but many still have not. We have to have time for
migration before passing a bill that would create an unlevel regulatory playing field. I would also caution
you that this legislation will not allow the IUB to investigate problems with delivery of calls. I am aware
of six cases of “call completion” the Board is currently investigating.
Voice service should be regulated in a way that is technology neutral because consumers still see a
phone call as a phone call no matter how it is delivered. This legislation is inviting unwanted confusion
among providers and consumers. While many of our companies have embraced VoIP technology and
invested in it, this is an issue of fairness. Please oppose this bill.
Rep./Sen. XXXXX,
I want to express my opposition to (HSB 590). This legislation would deregulate Voice Over Internet
Protocol (VOIP) services and in my opinion is not good telecommunications policy.
Yes, I am sure large, out-of-state carriers think this is a “great” idea. For the providers here in Iowa who
want to deliver quality services, it is not a good idea. We can’t create rules that favor some providers
offering voice services over others using different technology. That does not create a level playing field.
The Iowa Utilities Board has made this point very clear in its opinion on this issue and I agree with their
opinion.
Voice service should be regulated in a way that is technology neutral because consumers still see a
phone call as a phone call no matter how it is delivered. While many of our companies have embraced
VoIP technology and invested in it, this is an issue of fairness.
I hope you will be against this legislation.