Last week the Institute for Policy Innovation [1](IPI) told the Missouri legislature that VoIP technology needs to develop and flourish throughout the state without regulatory interference. IPI's press release describes VoIP as a "compelling application" which will encourage economic advancement, job creation, and income growth, the sort of thing that is a prime driver of economic growth because it increases business productivity.
IPI calls out the Missouri Public Utilities Commission for having a "strong inclination" towards regulation of the VoIP market and generally not trusting free markets and competition. The conservative Texas-based think tank pats facilities-based providers on the back and says small and rural telecoms feeding from the public trough want regulation and new taxes to slow down competition.
For more:
- Fox Business Runs IPI Press Release to Missouri State Legislature on VoIP [2]
Related articles:
Los Angeles wants its cut; imposes 9% VoIP tax [3]
Massachusetts group approves new telco tax [4]
Links:
[1] http://www.ipi.org
[2] http://www.fiercewireless.com/press-releases/ipi-missouri-state-legislature-avoid-regulation-and-taxation-voip-0
[3] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/los-angeles-wants-its-cut-imposes-9-voip-tax/2008-03-31
[4] http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/massachusetts-group-approves-new-telco-tax/2008-03-04