Aug 22 2008
This week we discuss such great things as FEMA security, FTC rules, and loss of liberties at airports.
As always, VoIP Tech Chat can be accessed from:
Have thoughts? We’d love to hear from you.
Aug 21 2008
A recent voicemail upgrade to the FEMA telephone network came with a surprise bill – 12,000 dollars worth of calls to the Middle East and Asia. FEMA, or what the non-acronym inclined would call the Federal Emergency Management Agency, falls within the umbrella of Homeland Security.
Using a 15 year old technique (that they wouldn’t describe in detail), the hacker made 400 calls were made to countries such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, India and Yemen. Even better, the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA didn’t notice the charges or calls. Sprint did. Sprint noticed the long distance charges and stopped future calls.
We don’t know what surprises us more… the fact that Homeland Security was hacked using methods more than a decade old, the fact that the government didn’t notice $12,000.00 in unauthorized calls, or the fact that the Department of Homeland Security didn’t notice calls to Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia made from within it’s own department.
Assuming we don’t get audited in the very near future, we look forward to our next Podcast. Oh wait. Patrick, is that an IRS van headed your way?
Here’s more from the traditional press:
Aug 20 2008
Well, perhaps stop is too strong of a word. We should have stated instead that the FTC recently added more regulation in an attempt to severely limit prerecorded calls. But, that just doesn’t have the same BAM, in your face attention grabbing feel as “FTC Stops Prerecorded Calls.” Anyway, where were we? Oh yeah…
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission), established initially to “bust the trusts” and stamp out unfair competition, evolved into a modern day version of “We’re from the government. We’re here to help.” With a tag-line of “Protecting America’s Consumers” today’s FTC investigates advertising claims, marketing practices, marketplace competition, and well, generally looks at anything dealing under the commerce umbrella. With the creation of federal “Do Not Call” lists, the FTC established itself as the main enforcer of telemarketers; quickly creating many regulations and rules governing the practice of phone solicitation.
Interestingly, consumers do not receive individualized complaint protection. The FTC specifically does not resolve individual consumer complaints. Instead, the FTC collects complaints about companies, business practices, etc. and investigations result from the numerous complaints received.
Prerecorded Calls
First, let’s discuss prerecorded calls. Prerecorded calls occur when a caller receives a prerecorded message rather than talking to a live person. Examples could be something along the lines of “Hello Patrick and Fred. Because you are such amazing customers, I have a very special offer for you to save big big money. If you want to save big big money press one now. If you don’t want to save big big money hang up.”
From complaints received, the FTC rendered an opinion stating that consumers, who already do not like receiving unsolicited telephone calls, dislike prerecorded calls even more. We truly hope that the FTC and NASA hire from very different applicant pools. Anyway, the rocket scientists at the FTC used more than 13,000 complaints and comments during a “proposal” period to create the following rules:
And when do these regulations go into effect? September 2009.
Jun 29 2008
Thomas Hughes, CIO of the Social Security Administration (SSA), gave a nice interview to Nick Walkerman of Washington Technology. The interview provided some insight into the VoIP deployment of the SSA.
For more on the deployment, check out our VoIP Tech Chat article.
Jun 27 2008
Andy Abramson posted a great comment about American Airlines blocking Skype from their new inflight internet WiFi access. Now, only the wisdom of Solomon can understand either this rule or how American Airlines is interpreting the “federal ban on phone calls.”
Should we believe that somehow, using VoIP during a flight will present a security risk compared to being allowed the use of a cellphone the second you land and right before flight? There’s a great line from Man of the Year where Robin Williams’ character explains that if old ladies in walkers are trying to blow up planes, the game’s over.
We understand that using a cellphone during a flight could bother airplane electronics — but if you can use WiFI, then how does a VoIP conversation pose the same threat. Unless, we are to believe that somehow allowing Skype or telephone conversations during a flight will somehow allow devastation to occur? We don’t get it. Isn’t blocking more than 4 ounces of liquid already protecting us?
Does this mean that all IM communication will be blocked, or is it just the verbal communication that Feds deem destructive?
Jun 17 2008
The Senate unanimously passed legislation requiring 911 networks to play nicely with VoIP providers. Actually, the bill (dubbed the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007) does more than sarcastically tell companies to play nice, but Patrick and Fred like to be sarcastic when discussing federal regulation. After all, it’s June 2008 and the Senate just now voted on legislation that the House of Representatives passed in November 2007. And now the bill goes back to the House for final approval.
By the way, for more information on how a bill becomes a law, please listen, read, and buy School House Rock’s “I’m Just a Bill.” Everyone together now, I’m just a bill, Yes I’m only a bill….
So, back in 2005 when Vonage started gaining popularity in the residential telephone game, the FCC decided that VoIP providers should be required to provide enhanced 911 to their subscribers by 2006. Well, VoIP providers did their best, but 911 routing definitely does not come in a one-size-fits-all type of system. Every 911 center has their own integration and traditionally had been controlled specifically by brick and mortar POTS companies; who weren’t super pleased with integrating their services to companies stealing their customers.
VoIP providers asked the FCC for extensions and basically Congress came in and decided that more laws should be created to help the process.
The Act (H.R. 3403) requires the FCC to regulate VoIP to 911 connectivity and ensure VoIP providers receive access to 911 and enhanced 911 centers.The bill also sets into place how much local governments can charge VoIP carriers for these connections.
So, the bottom line?
Get ready for improved access to 911 from VoIP providers and get ready for more 911 taxes on your VoIP line.
A copy of the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007 report can be downloaded right here from VoIP Tech Chat.
Jun 15 2008
Verizon recently announced new discounts for wireless only customers interested in Internet or television service. Called the “Flex Double Play” bundle, the discount offers a reduction of $8 - $12 a month for people combining Verizon Wireless with broadband or TV services.
Now, remember of course, that Verizon originates from the traditional POTS provider, Bell Atlantic. Back in the 80’s (1983 to be exact), when there was one big phone company called Bell, the US government decided that Americans would benefit from 7 companies instead of 1 big one. The 7 smaller phone companies, or “Baby Bells” were to handle local phone service and allow other companies to handle long distance.
With that historical digression, please remember that Verizon essential developed from this split; therefore sometimes still thinks like a traditional POTS provider.
How so you ask?
Well, the discount sounds great — but the big phone companies just don’t know how to provide something without conditions. If you want the fastest DSL or FiOS plans, you get no discount. The discount will only be offered towards DSL plans of 3 mbps and FiOS plans of 20 mbps.
Still, if you don’t want the best of the best, saving up to $12 a month still adds up to a nice deal. Maybe they should read our Wireless Only article to learn more about Wireless Only customers.
Jun 13 2008
Telephony Online reports investors of XO, fearing the worst, want the ouster of the company chairman, Carl Icahn. Apprently, XO managed to create a debt of more than 400 million dollars.
XO Communications provides leading Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Data & Internet, Network Transport, Managed, Hosting and Fixed Wireless Access services to businesses, enterprises, government, and carrier & wholesale customers nationwide.
Jun 12 2008
Network World is posting a timely article (“Stolen laptop teaches Stanford a lesson on encryption”) complimenting our recent encryption discussion. With this incident, on top of the University of Florida blunder that personally affected Fred, we must continue to ask ourselves — when will people embrace encryption?
When our nation’s respected educational institutions subject sensitive data to the public, it’s time for the public to educate the educators. Sure, encryption is not the end all, god save the queen solution for protecting ourselves. But, encryption is a great tool and can provide a strong foundation for additional security measures.
The time for excuses is over. After all, our hero Benjamin Franklin used to say, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.“
Jun 12 2008
Welcome to this week’s Voip Cast. In this week’s chat, we discuss topics such as George Michael, Skype, encryption, airports, slot machines, super-heroes and more.
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