The US Federal Communications Commission is set to eliminate what is considered an artifact of pre-Internet telephony that allows local phone companies to bill larger carriers $billions without permission or agreement. Known as reciprocal compensation, the system was designed to help distribute revenues when phone calls flowed in two directions through multiple systems. In the age of the Internet, however, many calls go to ISPs and are never returned, frustrating the intent of the original legislation.

For more information, read wired.com and techtv.com.