At first glance, it was hard to work out what everyone was getting so excited about.

Yesterday, the United States's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a technical ruling that exempted a mid-sized communications technology company from a mishmash of state regulations, certification standards and taxes.

The decision focused on Vonage Holdings, a New Jersey-based operation that lets its customers make phone calls over broadband internet connections, using a technology known as Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP.

The FCC ruled that Vonage – and crucially, anyone else offering Vonage-type services - did not have to live under the same regime of piecemeal state regulation imposed on most traditional phone companies in the US.

It might not look like the kind of news to quicken the pulse of anyone but the most technically-minded industry insider.

But tell that to the hordes of telecoms analysts, business correspondents and technology bloggers from across the world who queued up to pour over the ruling and ponder its long-term implications for the communications industry as a whole.

"I see this as a major victory for consumers," said Leonardo Faoro of thevoipweblog.

"This is yet another historic day in the history of VoIP in the USA," said VoIP guru Jeff Pulver on his own blog. As many other analysts pointed out, where America leads in lightening the legislative load on internet calls, the rest of the world is likely to follow.

The ruling was seen as a decisive boost for all companies championing VoIP technology, giving it a potential competitive edge over what has become officially known as POTS, also known as "plain old telephone system".

It was also seen as a good day for customers because phone calls made using VoIP technology tend to be much cheaper than calls routed over traditional lines. Vonage's DigitalVoice service and its competitors offer unlimited domestic calls for as little as $15 a month in the US.

The celebrations were spurred on by none other than Michael Powell, the FCC's chairman, who dressed up the announcement in the most dramatic of language.

"This landmark order recognises that a revolution has occurred," he said, adding that VoIP services offered by companies like Vonage "cracked the 19th century telecoms mould, to the great benefit of consumers".

Times Recommends

• Minister in talks with Saudis to protect creditors
• Premier Inn hits back in £29-a-room row
• Bankers hit back at 'populist' bonus supertax