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For Immediate Release: February 15, 2012
Contact: Rob Thormeyer, 202-898-9382, rthormeyer@naruc.org

Consumers Win 'Important Victory' with FCC Action on VoIP Providers

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission issued a rulemaking on mandatory Voice-over-IP service outage reporting requirements:

“On behalf of our State utility commissioner colleagues, we applaud the Federal Communications Commission for addressing this issue today. This is a big win for consumers, given the growth in Voice-over-IP services throughout the country. With these rules, VoIP providers will be held to the same outage requirements at their more traditional competitors. As consumers rely more on VoIP services, they should expect the same level of service. There are several recent examples of interconnected VoIP providers experiencing service outages because of technical problems or natural disasters. Today’s action is an important victory for consumers of VoIP services.”
--NARUC Committee on Telecommunications Chair John Burke of Vermont

“State regulators particularly appreciate the comments from FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn recognizing State interests. We are optimistic the final order will include options allowing States to access this information.”
--NARUC Committee on Critical Infrastructure Chair Terry Jarrett of Missouri

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NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.

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