For Immediate Release
Comments on Headline News, Web Calling Connects Controversy
February 18, 2003, New York, NY - Today, Pittsburg
Tribune - Review's PittsburgLive.com published a Headline News, Web Calling
Connects with Controversy. The article was written by The Associated Press,
Brian Bergstein. The article discusses the improvement in Internet calling and
the acceptance by the public as an application. He quotes Jeff Pulver, founder
of Free World Dialup and Lawrence Sarjeant of the United States Telecom
Association, a trade group for local phone carriers on their pro and con
positions regarding the effect of Internet calling vis-a-vis the traditional
telephone. The author raises two main issues, (1) The FCC will need to decide
whether Internet calls ought to (be) count(ed) as an "information
service" or a "telecommunications service." and (2) Should FCC
regulate the "Voice over IP". Further, Bergstein cites two related
issues, (1) Internet calling services would make phone numbers in desired area
code run out more quickly and (2) Web calling services can be forced to
connect to 911, contribute to a fund for subsidizing rural service or let law
enforcement tap calls. He comments, "Perhaps the technology's biggest
threat to phone companies is its ability to let cable TV rivals eventually
offer voice service along with TV programming and broadband Internet access
— a long-sought "triple play"."
In responding to
concerns pointed out by staff, Dr. Ifay Chang, Founder/CEO of IPO2U.COM has
made several comments. These comments reflect the company's point of view:
"The
definition of 'information service' versus 'telecommunication service' should
be a simple one. The telecommunication services use traditional
telecommunication switches, routers and billing algorithms to offer telephone
services to consumers and businesses. Other information related services such
as information look-up extended or bundled with telecommunication services
should be still considered as telecommunication services so long the services
are rendered with traditional network systems based on the traditional billing
algorithm for such services. Information services, on the other hand, use new
IT technologies for processing and rendering multimedia information to
consumers and businesses. Voice rendering is certainly a part of the
multimedia."
"Fundamentally,
retrieving a voice mail or recording from a server and getting a voice
response or recording using a telephone call are not different for consumers
except the underlying technologies used and the billing algorithms used are
different. As information services, retrieving a voice file (non-real-time
voice processing and rendering), conducting a voice communication (real-time
event), downloading a music file (non-real-time processing and rendering) and
listening to a streaming music (a real-time broadcast) are only
technically differentiated by how fast the underlying technology are
processing the files and whether any inherent delay can satisfy the
requirements of the real-time application. As telecommunication services,
phone calls, faxes, call forwarding and voice responses are all charged under
the dedicated line and consumption time model. I don't see why and how web
calling should be regulated like telephone services."
"Regarding
'the phone numbers in the desired area code would be running out more
quickly', it is really an obsolete thinking. Just like Internet IP
addresses, the numbers can be expanded to accommodate the growth indefinitely.
Using domain name concept, there is no need to worry what physical (numerical)
IP address you have so long you have a unique domain name that is associated
with your IP address. I could easily use 'IFC-Entreprenuer' to represent my
office phone number wherever it may be, 'FatherofSix' to represent my private
home phone and 'Don'tCallmeI'llCallyou' to represent my cell phone. These
phone names can be listed on our click and call e800 directory for anyone to
call and reach me without the need to display the phone numbers. The telephone
industry can adopt this scheme and make money just like the domain name
registers do. The rule is just: don't be too greedy or become
monopolistic."
"The 911
service should be considered as an obligation by any industry or business
which can encounter emergency situation. Telephone, wireless phone, PDA,
medical instruments, transportation industry (trains, boats, buses, and
airlines) and law enforcement vehicles should be all mandated to offer 911
service (in turn their communication support industry must be mandated to
support the 911 service) with the most reliable communication
technology. Be it as land telephone, wireless, CB radio, special band,
satellite etc. The service must be considered as a contribution for the public
good. Web calling can certainly offer 911 service but the service must be
getting cooperation and support from the telecommunication industry. 911
service should not be used as an excuse for thwarting
competition."
"Finally, I would offer a comment on the Cable industry's 'triple play'.
Any industry that can take advantage of technological advances should be given
a fair playground. The right response from the telecommunication industry is
to figure out how to compete and open up new service markets before
competition replaces old business markets. It probably will take a long while
before cable TV companies figure out a 'double play' model before tempting the
'triple play'. We all have to keep a sharp eye on the lookout."
IPO2U.COM offers productivity tools for e-commerce community
including its Internet click and call, web callicon, Mi-Card and e800
directory services. These products and services enable small businesses to
engage e-commerce and e-business with most cost-effective solutions for PR,
marketing, sales, and technical support and customer relation
management.
Dr. Chang may be contacted by email at info@ipo2u.com
For further information you may contact:
Public Relations Office
IPO2U.COM, Inc. PO Box, 944, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
or call Teresa Chang at 914-248-6770
www.ipo2u.com
www.mi-card.com
www.mi-card.com/9-11dbcc
