Vonage Disputes NARUC Challenge to FCC VoIP Direct Numbering Order

Vonage backed an FCC order allowing interconnected VoIP providers to obtain phone numbers directly from numbering administrators, a decision NARUC is challenging in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (NARUC v. FCC, No. 15-1497). NARUC lacks standing to bring its challenge and hasn't shown that the FCC lacks authority to provide interconnected VoIP direct numbering access, intervenor Vonage said in its brief (in Pacer) Thursday. It also said there's no statutory requirement the FCC classify VoIP as a telecom service in order to give interconnected VoIP providers direct numbering access, as NARUC argued (see 1604050013). The FCC defended its order last week (see 1605200002).