VOIP Regulatory Freedom Act of 2004

Summary

VOIP Regulatory Freedom Act of 2004 - Reserves solely to the Federal Government the responsibility and authority to regulate the offering or provision of a voice-over-Internet-protocol (VOIP) application (an application that uses the Internet or any successor protocol to offer two-way or multidirectional voice communications). Prohibits State regulation, or delegation to States, of such authority. Prohibits the offering or provision of a VOIP application from being subject to access charges under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, but allows the FCC to establish a compensation mechanism for providers of VOIP applications based on the recovery of costs. Prohibits the FCC from imposing a compensation mechanism based on the mutual recovery of costs through reciprocal obligations unless the FCC has established a single unified regime for the sending and receiving of all data and voice communications. Allows connected VOIP application providers to enter into private negotiations for the mutual recovery of costs for sending or receiving voice communications of a connected VOIP application. Directs the FCC to: (1) ensure that all providers of a connected VOIP application contribute to the preservation and advancement of Federal universal service programs based on a flat fee; and (2) require such providers to provide access to necessary information to law enforcement agencies not less than that required of information service providers. Requires the FCC to appoint an appropriate representative industry organization to develop guidelines, protocols, or performance requirements pertaining to the offering or provision of connected VOIP applications for: (1) providing comparable capabilities to 911 services; (2) improving use by the disabled community; (3) improving reliability of VOIP applications; and (4) ensuring appropriate security for the application and voice communications. Prohibits a State or political subdivision from imposing a tax or other charge on the offering or provision of a VOIP application.

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Timeline

1. 5 April 2004

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 5 April 2004

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 16 June 2004

   Committee

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

4. 22 July 2004

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

5. 19 November 2004

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 812.

   Source: Calendars

6. 19 November 2004

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

7. 19 November 2004

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

8. 7 December 2004

   Floor

   By Senator McCain from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 108-425.

   Source: Floor

9. 7 December 2004

   Committee

   By Senator McCain from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 108-425.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 19 November 2004 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 5 April 2004 · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 19 November 2004

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 19 November 2004

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 19 November 2004

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 5 April 2004

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 5 April 2004

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 5 April 2004

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Sununu, John E. [R-NH] · R · Sponsor
• · sscm00 · Standing

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.