Speakeasy The Latest VoIP Provider To Block Certain Calls [Techdirt]
Add another VoIP service provider to the list, along with MagicJack and Google Voice, that is blocking access to free conference call numbers for its phone customers. Speakeasy, a VoIP provider which provides phone service using a customer's existing broadband connection, has notified its customers that it will be blocking their ability to call into several free conference call providers. Speakeasy provided the notice along with a list of specific numbers that are blocked out.
Techdirt notes that VoIP service providers that are blocking access to these conference call services are likely doing so due to arcane regulatory rules for long-distance calls that require incoming call providers to pay connection fees to rural telephone providers. Because connecting to free conference call services often incurs these connection fees, some VoIP providers are simply blocking their customers from dialing and connecting to them.
AT&T has requested that the FCC investigate Google's Voice VoIP product, which provides call routing and SMS service due to blocking of calls to certain numbers. While Speakeasy has formally notified customers of the number blocking and posted a list of blocked numbers, neither Google nor MagicJack have done so.
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