More ripples across the pond

I caught a good double bill tonight on CNBC's Kudlow & Cramer (love 'em or hate 'em, they're never boring) - Michael Powell followed by John Rego of Vonage. Mr. Powell was predictably measured in his responses to predictably pointed questioning, but I think the veiled message that came through loud and clear was something like, "It's absurd to try to apply localized regulatory frameworks to what is, in essence, a global revolution." John Rego looked exhausted, but palpably elated, almost incredulous, at the whole turn of events.

Thanks to Vonage (and its deep pockets) for taking the regulatory and legal pain (it's interesting to see the likes of BellSouth issuing apparently supportive press releases within minutes of the ruling) to force a ruling which should hopefully benefit everyone involved in promoting competition. I realise that the differences between the US and Europe are vast, but given their intimate trade and political ties, one has to ponder the extent to which Europe may now find itself in an interesting position, where the Euro-corollary of today's FCC ruling is that regulation of VoIP within the EU member states is really a Community (or supranational), rather than national, issue.