Technology

National | Technology | Chris Stamper

Phone privileges

Internet phone service may soon explode across the country. A federal judge earlier this month barred state officials in Minnesota from forcing upstart Internet phone company Vonage to pay the same taxes and public-service "obligations" as local carriers. The ruling means Internet phone companies can continue to offer unlimited calling plans for around $30 to $40 a month.

The ruling comes as Comcast and Time Warner plan to roll out Internet phone service to their cable modem users in the coming months. New York's Cablevision Systems offers unlimited local and long-distance service on Long Island for about $35 a month. Traditional phone companies are responding with lower prices and flat-rate plans.

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October 25, 2003, Vol. 18, No. 41

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