Broadband Cable Association of Pennsylvania

VOICE

Voice over Internet Protocol, or digital voice, is the convergence of voice and data into a single bit-stream which enables innovative offerings that integrate the two in ways not possible using traditional voice service.

Digital voice specifically refers to communications services-voice, facsimile, and/or voice-messaging applications-that are transported over broadband cable networks, which are facilities-based, managed networks rather than via the public switched telephone network. The basic steps involved in originating a digital voice call are conversion of the analog voice signal to digital format and compression/translation of the signal into Internet protocol (IP) packets for transmission over the network; the process is reversed at the receiving end.

As a technology, digital voice has been in existence for several years. However, it is the emergence of innovative new services based on this technology that are truly enabling voice and data convergence. For businesses and residential customers alike, that means the ability to save costs and to communicate more efficiently and effectively.

Digital voice technology encompasses many services, ranging from voice-enabled instant messaging and chat, to voice-enabled gaming. Other services available from digital voice include: "unified" messaging (in which users have a single message platform for email, voicemail, faxes, and the like), personal portals, caller ID on televisions etc, talking email, and customized dial tones and greetings.

Increased deployment of cable digital voice spurs the demand for broadband services, thus creating incentives for all carriers to invest in their networks and extend broadband capabilities. Like wireless service during the past decade, digital voice requires time and freedom from regulation in order to develop.

In Pennsylvania, a "hands-off" approach to digital voice technology is consistent with the FCC's support for non-regulation of advanced services, including this technology. The few states that have examined whether to regulate digital voice have, as a general rule, declined to do so. Most recently, Florida has adopted legislation finding that the provision of this service is in the public interest and amended its Code to exempt digital voice from state regulation. And our own Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission agreed that it is premature to impose any regulatory burdens on digital voice service unless and until the FCC offers guidance on the matter

.

Broadband cable digital voice provides to Pennsylvanians a low-cost, high-quality alternative to traditional local and long distance voice service utilizing the superior quality offered by broadband cable operators. The popular service joins a list of several burgeoning technological advances introduced by the state's cable industry…and embraced by Pennsylvania residents.