Google Argues that Voice Integration in Gmail Doesn’t Make Them a Carrier
Google Argues that Voice Integration in Gmail Doesn’t Make Them a Carrier
Posted 09/19/2010 at 6:37am
| by Justin Kerr
3
Comments
Print
Google Voice is popping up in more and more places these days, and the search giant is finding it increasingly difficult to avoid being labeled as a common carrier. Google on the other hand claims that since it doesn’t charge for the service, they should be exempted from the classification and all the onerous regulations that would apply. Analysts on the other hand are not so sure this justification will hold up, and new features such as Gmail integration and video calling are increasingly blurring the lines.
Google can get away with shenanigans such as blocking calls to rural areas since it is nothing more than a free service at the moment, but if the regulators get involved it could be an entirely different story. It would be interesting to see if Google maintains the same level of commitment if the laws end up turning against them, and they are forced to comply with the same rules as local phone carriers.
More like this
3
Comments
Comments are closed on this article
JohnP
September 20, 2010 at 12:28pm
Since it is under the "chat" portion of gmail, I consider it an extension of chat, not a whole seperate VoIP app. Of course, that does not prevent me from using it a TON since it came out...
What it DOES do is start tearing down the "pay wall" of telephone calls. Like torrents, it is going to be increasingly hard to keep beating down apps that allow free calling.
Caballera
September 19, 2010 at 2:12pm
They should have to follow the same regulations that VoIP companies have to follow since they are in direct competition with them.
ak
September 19, 2010 at 9:32am
So Google will now become subject to similar arbitrary regulation they have been fighting to place upon ISPs with Net Neutrality. Good for them.
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
The gang discusses the GTX 690, Trinity, Ivy Bridge, Amazon, big-box stores, MMOs,...
This month's issue
Feature
Build a PC On Any Budget
Feature
Cloud Services Showdown
How-To
Encrypt Your External Drive
Build It
Upgrade an X58 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Want to work at Maximum PC? Our Online Managing Editor, Alex, is moving away, so we need a new one. http://t.co/9Z7JCh0E1 day 16 hours ago
- maximumpc: Fraps 3.5.2 fixes lots of bugs, so if your motto, like @PCGamer's, is "always be frapsing," you should pick it up http://t.co/3DW3WUI01 day 19 hours ago
- maximumpc: Google Chrome Becomes World's Most-Used Web Browser, Kinda http://t.co/Xqgscmrp2 days 12 hours ago
