Comcast defends itself against FCC’s VoIP probe
The missive observed that Comcast's own explanation of its new network management techniques discloses that, when the system is trying to manage congestion, a VoIP call might sound "choppy." This potential choppiness stands in contrast to Comcast's own VoIP product, a difference that Comcast explains on its FAQ Network Management page. CDV is a "separate facilities-based IP phone service," Comcast notes, and "is not affected" by the new network management techniques.
We seek clarification, the FCC informed Comcast, on why the company has not clarified "the distinct effects that Comcast's new network management technique has on Comcast's VoIP offering versus those of its competitors."
But Comcast responds that it is precisely the separateness of its VoIP service that exonerates the company from the charge that it gives CDV a disparate boost. Yes, like Vonage and Skype, CDV is an IP-enabled service. But unlike them, it doesn't run "over the top" of Comcast's high speed Internet lines. In fact, Comcast customers don't need to subscribe to its HSI service to get CDV, Zachem explains, "and Comcast does not route those CDV customers’ traffic over the public Internet."
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