7 November 2003 Washington DC Lightwave--Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Michael K. Powell announced that the FCC will hold a forum on voice over IP (VOIP) issues on December 1, 2003.

Powell also announced that, shortly after the forum, the Commission will initiate a Notice of Public Rule Making (NPRM) to inquire about the migration of voice services to IP-based networks and gather public comment on the appropriate regulatory environment for these services.

"As new digital technologies and Internet applications, such as VOIP, challenge the established technological, market and regulatory structures of our analog past, the FCC will continue to stay at the forefront of change," wrote Powell in a letter responding to an inquiry from U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The December hearing will invite industry and government leaders to discuss how digital technologies are being used to provide innovative and affordable voice services to consumers and stimulate economic growth. It will also explore regulatory classification issues and explore the best means to achieve important health, safety and welfare policy objectives such as E911, universal service and homeland security.