Cloud Communications Alliance urges the FCC to stand up for its rights
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Today, the Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA), in partnership with the Cloud Voice Alliance (CVA) filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The petition challenges the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) regulatory framework for interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services as established in CPUC Decision 24-11-003.
The petition asserts that the CPUC's regulatory framework conflicts with long-standing federal law and FCC precedent, including the Vonage Preemption Order, which recognizes the inherently interstate nature of VoIP services. The petition urges the FCC to reaffirm its exclusive jurisdiction over VoIP services and its commitment to fostering innovation, competition, and affordability in the communications industry.
Joe Marion, President of the Cloud Communications Alliance, emphasized the importance of the FCC's action:
“The CPUC's decision imposes unnecessary and burdensome regulations on VoIP providers, erecting barriers that harm small businesses, stifle innovation, and ultimately increase costs for consumers. Our petition seeks to ensure that the FCC upholds the federal framework that has allowed the VoIP market to thrive. We are honored to work with the Cloud Voice Alliance on this issue.”
The CPUC's framework introduces state-specific distinctions between "fixed" and "nomadic" VoIP services and imposes stringent registration and operational requirements that conflict with the FCC's established end-to-end jurisdictional analysis. These state regulations, the petition argues, create a fragmented regulatory environment, undermining the federal government's goal of maintaining a cohesive national policy for advanced communications services.
About the Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA)
The CCA is an industry-leading not-for-profit association dedicated to fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration in the cloud communications sector. Representing a diverse group of cloud communications companies, the CCA advocates for regulatory policies that promote competition and innovation while protecting the interests of both providers and end-users.
In addition to its advocacy efforts at the federal level, the CCA actively participates in state regulatory proceedings to ensure that state policies align with the broader objectives of the communications industry. The CCA's involvement in the California Rulemaking proceeding reflects its commitment to protecting the interests of its members and advancing policies that support innovation and affordability in cloud-based communications services.
This April 14-16, the CCA will host its’ annual Cloud Connections event for communications providers and resellers in St. Petersburg, Florida. Find out more information at www.cloudcommunications.com/connections.
About the Petition
The joint petition filed by the CCA and CVA seeks a declaratory ruling that the CPUC's regulatory framework for VoIP services is preempted by federal law. The petition specifically requests that the FCC reaffirm its exclusive jurisdiction over VoIP services and reiterate the use of the end-to-end jurisdictional analysis as the definitive standard for determining the regulatory treatment of VoIP communications.
The full petition is available upon request. For media inquiries, please contact:
Joe Marion
President, Cloud Communications Alliance
Tel: 561-232-3891
Email: jmarion@cloudcommunications.com
Jonathan S. Marashlian
Managing Partner, Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC
Tel: 703-714-1313
Email: jsm@commlawgroup.com