VoIP Rates Headed Up

If you're using VoIP to save on marketing costs or for pay per call advertising, you should expect to pay more soon. The FCC voted that VoIP should join other telecom carriers in contributing to the Universal Service Fund.

The rates could go up by as much as 16 percent, according to News.com.

By one VoIP industry estimate, customers could owe as much as $2.12 extra on a $30 monthly bill because of the changes, said Jim Kohlenberger, executive director of the VON Coalition, which represents the Internet phone industry.

As much as we might want IP-based services to remain outside the grasp of the tax man, it seems only fair that VoIP vendors contribute. The fees are based on estimates of long distance charges as a percentage of revenue, so it will be interesting how Skype, which currently isn't charging for calls within the U.S. and Canda, figures out what it owes.