Hail to the VOIP?
Next week, as you might have heard, Americans will go to the polls. Voice over IP hasn’t exactly been a major wedge issue in the Presidential campaign. Nonetheless, the election could have a significant impact on the future of VOIP in the United States. Neither candidate has emphasized technology policy during the campaign. Both George Bush and John Kerry have issued position papers and given a few speeches on tech issues, but in contrast to the gap between their views on most topics, it’s hard to find much substantive disagreement. Both want to see more broadband deployment; both want to make more wireless spectrum available; both oppose excessive regulation of dynamic and nascent industries. As one might expect, there are differences in emphasis. President Bush focuses on keeping broadband access tax-free, while Senator Kerry talks more about tax credits and subsidies to spur broadband deployment. Bush’s people talk up the gains in broadband deployment over the past four years, while
