David S. Isenberg's writes "Abernathy asks a good question. She asks: Isn't there a train wreck coming (as the telcos lose revenue)? She points out that we'll still need the PSTN.
The panel addresses the future -- after all, it is a visionary panel -- but it doesn't answer her question. What happens when the 20% of the customers who acct for 80% of the revenue move off of the PSTN? What happens to the other 80% that still dials into the net, or that still uses Plain Old Telephone Service?
This will require some deep thinking, and some conscious public policy making. I think the people to address it are not at the table.
There are two ways to go on that. (1) You could encourage the transition or (2) you could prop up the legacy. Either is likely to require "subsidy" in some form. " [isen.blog]
Kevin Werbach who spoke at the first panel "I'm in the FCC meeting room, connected using the Commission's WiFi access points, listening to the second panel of the FCC VOIP hearing. My remarks from the first panel this morning is here, and the PowerPoint presentation is here. The discussion went about as I expected, raising issues about regulation, technology, and universal service.
This is just the starting gun for the FCC's examination of VOIP. It's an extremely important issue for the future of the Internet, and I look forward to being involved as things unfold."
[Werblog]
From Jeff Pulver's Blog who also presented on the first panel "Given the recent attention that IP Communications has had in the US in both the financial markets and general consumer press, it will be real interesting to listen to the specific words of what is said today and how that affects both overall investor setiment as well as the mood of the near-term future of the IP Communications Industry.
With all of the natural attention coming into the sector, now is the chance for the industry to shine and in the process, clearly demonstrate how different IP Communications is than the legacy of traditional telecommunications it is destined to replace. " [The Jeff Pulver Blog]
