MagicJack accused of avoiding 911 fees

The Kanawha County Commission in Florida has accused YMAX Communications and its subsidiary, MagicJack, for failing to collect 911 fees from customers and pay the county. MagicJack’s argument is that it’s not an Internet telephone company as defined by the FCC and is not required by law to pay the fees. The company also claimed that it’s unable to collect the fees because of the way the products are sold. MagicJack sells a magicIn service for getting a number and receiving calls and a magicOut program for outgoing calls. MagicJack customers currently receive 911 emergency services but don’t pay for it, while other residential phone lines and Internet phone service customers pay $3.34 per month and cell phone customers pay $3 per month.