Earlier this week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declared that DigitalVoice, an Internet telephony service provided by Vonage Holdings Corp., is not subject to the same multitude of state regulations that cover traditional telephone companies.
The ruling also stated that other IP-enabled services, including those offered by cable companies, that have similar characteristics to DigitalVoice are also not covered by the traditional state public utility regulations.
This ruling is expected to increase the popularity of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). VoIP currently accounts for only a few hundred thousand lines today, it is expected to grow as cable companies and local phone companies start using the technology. Just this week, SBC Communications Inc. announced plans to offer the service.
Alarm customers should be aware of the potential impact that switching to VoIP could have on their electronic security and life safety systems. A few of the issues for customers to consider before making the switch are included in a sample VoIP letter available on NBFAA's website www.alarm.org . These issues include:
Through proper communication, members can ensure that monitoring service for their customers' alarms will continue in the event that the customer decides to switch to VoIP.