States looking to collect revenue on VoIP service

With the economy affecting all segments of society, state governments have found themselves scrounging for new places to bring in revenue. Once again the threat of fees on VoIP service has reared its ugly head.

The Nebraska and Kansas utility commissions have petitioned the FCC to rule on whether states can collect universal service fees (USF) from VoIP service providers. Two representatives Joe Barton (R-Tex.) and Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) have rushed to the VoIP world's aid and have called for the FCC to not allow states to collect such fees. The legislators have asked the FCC that if they were to pursue this at all, they should issue a rulemaking proposal to collect comments.

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