The Federal Communications Commission will be voting on an AT&T petition to begin customer trials of new IP-based networks on Thursday, January 30th. This would be the first step in allowing telephone carriers to replace traditional phone systems with a new system that works over Internet Protocol networks.
The petition from AT&T is expected to be approved, but the FCC will warrant that universal service, consumer protection, public safety and competition are maintained. AT&T will need to maintain their current service levels under the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while they perform tests on the IP-based networks.