FCC bars states from regulating Web-call pricing

Single Sign-On: You can use Facebook account to log in to LasVegasSun.com. (We will use your first and last name from your profile.)
Trusted Commenting: Facebook connected users automatically become trusted commenters.

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004 | 9:13 a.m.

U.S. communications regulators barred state governments from applying some rules imposed on telephone services to Voice-over Internet Protocol calling sold by companies such as AT&T Corp. and Vonage Holdings Corp.

The Federal Communications Commission voted in Washington to declare that Internet-phone services should be subject only to certain federal regulations.

The ruling is a victory for AT&T and closely held Vonage, which lobbied to minimize government interference in a market that's expected to increase to $776.9 million in two years from $34.5 million in 2003, researcher In-Stat/MDR predicts. FCC Chairman Michael Powell views less regulation as a way to help Internet-based calling flourish.