Comments on: Congressional panel to vote on bill to ban VoIP taxes

Next week, a move to block states from taxing Internet-connected phone service faces its first test.

[unknown unknown]

Wiretapping Net only VoIP (like Skype)...

That might be a little harder than the tech dinosaurs in the DOJ realize. Software can be developed in any country. Software developement done outside the U.S doesn't fall under U.S law. In the case of Skype, the software is made by Sharman Networks (the same people who make Kazaa) which is based in Australia and distributed over the Internet, make regulation by the U.S rather difficult. There are open source codecs developed specificly for VoIP, like Speex by Xiph.org (The developers of Ogg Vorbis). There are also open source encryption libraries that offer strong encryption like RSA and Blowfish. The chances are good that people are going to develop VoIP programs that aren't wiretapable due to encryption and falling outside of U.S jurisdiction.

[John Kuzak]

RSA and Blowfish

http://www.analogstereo.com/chrysler_town_and_country_owners_manual.htm

[LANjackal]

Hurray for no state taxes, BOO for Universal Service

Thank God someone is thinking straight. Banning state and local taxation of VoIP is a smart move that will allow the technology and its associated industry to grow.

However, universal service is a farce - as shown by a GAO study - and should not be charged. Anyone who want a telephone should pay for it themselves, it's not coming out of my pocket.

[Crux78]

What about the Grandparents?

So you dont want to contribute for Universal Service, eh? Well what about Gramms and Gramps out on the farm? What are they supposed todo? Gramma just fell down the stairs and broke her hip and Grampa is having a coronary b/c he's too old to carry her to the car. But hey, they're not your problem, right? You dont use their phone. Whats that you say? Just have them use VoIP... Oh, why that is a great idea. You sound like a famous out of touch monarch, only her line was "Let them eat cake." Sound familiar?