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FCC probes Google Voice

by Sylvie Barak on 12 October 2009, 08:45

Tags: Google (NASDAQ:GOOG)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qauff

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Voicing concern

The American Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has sent a letter to Google, asking the Internet giant to justify why its Google Voice service blocks calls to certain numbers, especially those in rural areas where connection charges are high.

Google Voice, which allows users to generate a phone number which can be used to route incoming calls to various physical phones (including mobiles), is becoming increasingly popular, largely because it lets users dial internationally very cheaply.

Unsurprising then that larger telcos aren't keen on the service, and that the FCC's investigation was sparked by complaints from telecom giant AT&T, complaining Google Voice restricted calls which AT&T and other phone companies are required by law to connect. AT&T believes Google is violating the FCC's net neutrality principles, with the firm saying Google is discriminating against certain uses of its network.

Google, however, rejects that it's violating net neutrality, claiming that because it's not a Telco, it doesn't have to follow the same rules as the likes of AT&T.  

Amongst other questions asked by the FCC in its letter are;

  • How does Google inform Google Voice users about any restrictions in the numbers to which calls can be placed using Google Voice?
  • To what extent are each of these Google Voice functionalities offered for free?
  • To what extent, if any, does Google charge for any of these services?
  • Does Google intend to charge at some point for the service?
  • How does Google currently pay for the service?
  • How does Google identify the telephone numbers to which it restricts calls?
  • Does it restrict calls to individual telephone numbers, or to particular exchanges or NPA-NXXs?
  • Why does Google Voice restrict calls to these numbers?
  • Does Google contract with third parties to obtain inputs for its Google Voice service, such as access to telephone numbers, transmission of telephone calls, and interconnection with local telephone networks?

 



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