Representatives of government, business, consumer organizations, disability communities, labor organizations, minorities, grass-root groups, and the media will be invited to participate in the forum. After the event, a report will be issued summarizing the information and views that were exchanged and making specific recommendations from the consumer perspective. Remarks will not be attributed to particular individuals or their affiliations except for those of designated speakers. All participants will be encouraged to share their thoughts and views on:

• Should VoIP services be regulated in the same way as traditional phone service, in a different way, or not at all?

• What is the appropriate oversight role for the federal government? The states?

• What are the appropriate parameters of law enforcement access to VoIP communications?

• What are the consumer protection, public safety, and disability issues and how should they be addressed?

• What are the special needs of rural residential customers? Urban customers?

• How should the principle of universal service apply to VoIP?

• What effect will VoIP have on the cost of “plain old telephone service?”

The forum will end with a wrap-up session in which participants will identify areas of commonality and make suggestions for developing a policy framework for VoIP based how best to serve the public interest.

Location

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20036

Choate Room, 1st Floor

Metro stop: Dupont Circle

Time

Registration 8:30 – 9:00 am

Forum 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Meals

Coffee and bagels will be provided in the morning, lunch in the afternoon

Forum Rates

$200  Corporation/trade association

$85  Government agency/legislative office

$25  nonprofit consumer/public interest organization or educational institution

Fee Waivers
Speakers and moderators are not required to pay registration fees. Corporate sponsors of the event each receive 2 complimentary registrations. Nonprofit consumer/public interest organizations and educational institutions may request the registration fee to be waived if they are unable to pay. Because of space limitations, participation is limited to 1 person per company, agency, organization or institution (except as noted above).

Registering for the Forum

The deadline to register is October 29. To attend, you must register even if you are not required to pay a registration fee.

Click here to register online.