In conclusion, the real questions regarding regulatory classification and treatment of the Internet remain unanswered -- as perhaps they should be. These issues present clear challenges to the Internet community, the information technology industry and government. But in an age of technological convergence, this unsettled status creates risks and opportunities for industry players in both the circuit-switched and packet-switched domains.
At bottom, the regulatory rules and models applied to the PSTN simply do not fit the radically different technologies, architecture, pricing systems and culture of the Internet. At the same time, the pace of technological change confounds regulators and provides opportunities for established entities to use the regulatory process to stifle or delay new forms of competition from Internet-based applications. It is clear, therefore, that at least two developments are vitally needed:
Competitively neutral regulation that favors neither the telecom nor Internet domains; and
A new regulatory paradigm better suited to an era of digital convergence
The next few years should be exciting. Stay tuned!
