Another FCC E911 pushback: wise leniency or butt-cover backpedal?

Well, the Federal Communications Commission once again has rolled back their deadline mandating that VoIP service providers interrrupt service for those customers who have not yet gotten back to them with an acknowledgement they understand the current limitations of VoIP E911.

The previous deadline had been today.

"After considering the reports detailing their compliance with the Commission's notification requirement," the FCC wrote,"it is evident that many providers have devoted significant resources to notifying each of their subscribers."

That's bureaucrat-speak for saying, "we know you are trying, so you can have more time."

Now, the FCC is telling VoIP operators that if they currently have received acknowledgements from less than 90 percent of their subscribers, they have until October 31 to do so.

Those VoIP operators who have garnered ackowledgements from more than 90 percent of their subs won't be punished for now if they don't interrupt subscribers who have not yet filed their acknowledgements.

Do you sense a "cry wolf" scenario here, or at least a backpedal from an original ruling that was ill-thought out and impractical to implement? I mean, many people -including VoIP subscribers - are born procrastinators. Getting 10 out of 10 people to do things on time is hard enough.

But 10,000 out of 10,000? Aw, come on. Admit it, FCC. The 100% "notification" rule was silly. I know a butt-covering backpedal when I see one.