Q & A: CPUC's Susan Kennedy On VoIP: Page 5 of 6

Networking Pipeline: Can California afford to adopt more policies (like VoIP fees or taxes) that might make the state seem even more anti-business?

Kennedy: I am very committed to ensuring that California and its citizens enjoy the benefits of a vibrant, healthy economy. I also take my responsibility to protect California consumers very seriously, and I feel that this can best be accomplished by a regulatory approach that is fair, balanced and consistent. Our regulations must protect consumers and the rights of all Californians to good jobs and a strong economy.

Networking Pipeline: Can you briefly describe your role on the FCC commission, and what you hope to achieve there?

Kennedy: The FCC's Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services consists of 10 state commission and FCC members, and was instituted in 1999 as part of the FCC's efforts to ensure that advanced services are deployed as rapidly as possible to all Americans. The Joint Conference is responsible for collecting data on deployment of advanced services and for fostering dialogue among the FCC, state regulators, and policymakers at the local, state and national level as to how best accelerate the deployment of advanced telecommunication services.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Joint Conference to make advanced telecommunications services more accessible to all Californians and all Americans -- and especially those in hard-to-reach communities, such as certain ethnic populations and those in rural areas.