But the revolution of telecommunications and the Internet is still unfolding. Many aspects of this picture remain unknown. We do know that communications technologies link the nations of the world. Not only does IP telephony bring the immediate benefit of expanded telecommunications access at reduced prices, but also it offers consumers and businesses new services and expanded functions. An IP network has the capability to integrate voice, data, and video.
Users can communicate and conduct business more quickly and efficiently.
IP telephony can spur deployment of Internet facilities and applications in developing countries, thereby leapfrogging technology and the need to expand more costly legacy systems. Developing countries can benefit from the early introduction of Internet packet-switched technology and the variety of Internet services that this technology offers. The FCC encourages governments to remain open to the development of IP telephony. We understand that these are complex issues and that there are no simple solutions. The United States believes that, to the greatest extent possible, market forces should continue to drive technological advances and innovation in IP telephony.