Pulver to Canadian regulators: give VoIP providers time to devise 9-1-1 solutions
In Toronto for the VON Canada show, Voice over IP pioneer Jeff Pulver has singled out the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for criticism.
Last month, Canada's main telecommunications regulatory body issued an edict that Canadian VoIP providers offer emergency calling services within 90 days.
"What bothers me is they (CRTC) are taking old world regulations and trying to apply it to new technologies," Pulver told Report on Business Television's Jim O'Connell. "They are taking an old world stance and not really evolving their thinking about what (technology) is possible."
Pulver told O'Connell he would prefer that the CRTC assume an E-911 regulatory more like that taken by the FCC, which does not make E-911 a prerequisite to offer VoIP services.
"The (VoIP) industry is only three years old," he said. "Over time, we'll be able to deliver much better services, but the industry needs a little bit of time to innovate before they get regulated.
"9-1-1 service will happen," he added, but it needs time to evolve."
Which regulatory body stance do you agree with? The FCC? The CRTC? Do both agencies have a point? Do neither? Post a TalkBack and let us know.