Haley Stevens: “the Call Home Act of 2006 would require the Federal Communications Commission to take such actions as may be necessary…”

“the Call Home Act of 2006 would require the Federal Communications Commission to take such actions as may be necessary to reduce telephone rates for Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas, including the waiver of government fees, assessments, or other costs. In seeking to reduce phone rates, the legislation would require the FCC to evaluate and analyze the costs of calls to and from official duty stations including vessels whether in port or under way; evaluate methods of reducing rates including deployment of new technology such as Voice over Internet protocol, VOIP, or other Internet protocol technology; encourage phone companies to adopt flexible billing procedures and policies call to and from Armed Forces personnel; and seek agreements with foreign governments to reduce international surcharges on phone calls. The legislation would, however, prohibit the FCC from regulating rates in order to carry out the Call Home Act's requirements. The Call Home Act of 2006 would replace similar legislation from 1992 that limited the FCC's efforts to reduce rates to specific countries. The Call Home Act would expand the FCC's efforts to benefit troops wherever they are deployed in support of the global war on terrorism. We have received a letter of support from the Military Coalition, which represents 36 military and veterans groups.…”