Terms of Reference

Last updated: June 2009

1. Principles of VON Coalition Europe membership

The VON Coalition Europe ( “VON Europe”) represents the interests of companies promoting unfettered access to Internet enabled voice and more generally all legal Internet services and applications, and that operate or intend to operate in one or more European markets (“core interests”).

VON Europe candidate members will only be deemed admissible if they abide by these core interests. Moreover, VON Europe members (“Members”) agree to abide by the principle that they will not obstruct the approval of any work programs, positions, actions or documents on the basis of interests which do not reflect VON Europe’s core interests.

2. VON Europe’s Founding Vision

VON Europe aims to be the voice for Internet enabled voice innovation and the policy framework that enables it.

The coalition works to educate, inform and promote responsible government and regulatory policies that foster innovation to unleash the many benefits that VoIP can deliver, rather than stifle it.

VON Europe members believe that with the right public policies, Internet-enabled communications, such as those using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), can benefit consumers, increase competition, provide a platform for innovation, drive broadband demand, and enable economic growth.

VON Europe members believe that Voice over the Net and other Internet-enabled communications technologies are transformative technologies. Enlightened policy and regulatory approaches will enable VON and other Internet-enabled devices, applications, and services to transform communications and the wider economy by boosting business productivity, and will empower consumers with more choices and capabilities, that can enable families and friends to communicate in ways never before possible, integrating voice into an ever-richer variety of new web based applications.

3. Objectives of VON Europe

  • educate and inform policymakers and other relevant decision-makers, as well as the media, in the European Union and beyond (where deemed appropriate by Members), in order to promote responsible government policies that enable innovation and the many benefits that Internet voice innovations can deliver.
  • advance policies that enable consumers and businesses throughout Europe to enjoy the full promise and potential of Internet communications, such as lower prices, new services, and advanced communication features
  • resist the creation of regulatory, commercial and competitive barriers that put undue restrictions on the use of Internet enabled communications including the underlying technology and prevents it from being utilised to its full potential and that could prevent consumers from enjoying the vast benefits and innovations that VoIP and Internet-enabled communications have only begun to deliver.
  • work towards a policy framework that allows VoIP to continue to evolve by enhancing access to innovative and evolving communication options and without putting a stranglehold on it. For example, Internet-based communications platforms should not necessarily be made subject to legacy telecommunication regulations such as emergency services calling requirements.
  • Put in place channels of direct outreach to policymakers throughout Europe; work with public safety and standards bodies on advancing new policy solutions; and participate in proceedings and debates throughout the EU
  • Cooperate for the promotion of the voice on the net industry
  • Provide a forum of discussion for the Members

4. Principles Members should respect:

  • Enable Internet communications to develop unhindered, for the benefit of all.
  • Speak with a unified voice, behind a common vision and set of principles, and work with the EC and member states to make sure that unfounded concerns do not prevent consumers and businesses from enjoying the benefits of innovative Internet voice applications, services, and devices.
  • Promote the potential of Internet voice communications to benefit both society and the economy, and that enlightened policies together with a truly competitive and consumer-oriented marketplace can deliver these benefits.
  • Resist any attempts to block the unfettered access to VoIP (or using similar technologies) and more generally all legal Internet services and applications
  • Resist any attempt to treat by default all types of Internet enabled voice services like traditional telephony services.