The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took steps last week to regulate the transition of legacy PSTN networks as telcos replace their copper with fiber and move their circuit switched networks to fully IP-based platforms. The vote was three to two along political party lines.

This means that the days of copper based telephone service are numbered. VoIP is here to stay and the benefits outweigh the negatives. And it will only get better going forward.

In their statement, the FCC noted the ruling was made to “encourage the ongoing transition to next-generation communications networks by giving consumers a larger voice in the process, giving providers the certainty they need to invest, and protecting competition.”

While some may look on this transition with skepticism or trepidation, others see it as an opportunity to reduce costs and take advantages of VoIP features such as mobility apps and voice mail to email.

As with most things in life, change is inevitable and should be welcomed.