Source: voipcentral.org

What could be a major recognition to VoIP than this one? The Fijian government has legalized VoIP services in the island country. I personally feel the decision will foster the growth of VoIP and put an impact on the countries where this technology faces unnecessary blockades over the years.

According to TeleGeography, the Fijian Cabinet has approved the VoIP policy that allows licensing of this technology without infringing on the legal rights of the country’s two licensed federal telecom providers, Telecom Fiji and Fiji International Telecommunications Limited (FINTEL).

Until now, the Fijians have been accessing the popular VoIP services such as Skype. With this approval, new players can enter into this market and bring variety of services for the customers. Eventually, the adoption of VoIP and other broadband-related services will speed up in the country.

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Source: voipcentral.org

It is a ban in guise. The Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) of UAE has asserted the VoIP market is open only for the incumbent telecom service providers, such as Etisalat and du. Thus, there is no scope for the other companies to enter into local market.

Al Ghanim, Director General of TRA was quoted while saying,

Some of the press misinterpreted our press release [regarding VoIP] by suggesting the technology would be opened up to all companies. This is not the case. It will only be Etisalat and du that can provide VoIP.

It is not a healthy trend. No competition means monopoly. The customers will be the ultimate losers since they will be left with no more options but to accept what is being provided to them.

The market should be liberalized for the growth of emerging VoIP technology. The regulatory authority will closely monitor the activities of service providers to prevent illegal VoIP.

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Source: voipcentral.org

Is it a common phenomenon everywhere? After India and Bangladesh, South Korea now raised its voice against the foreign VoIP players.

According to a Washington Post, the US soldiers deployed in South Korea henceforth can not make VoIP calls using their native companies services. If they want to do, they will have to depend upon South Korean service providers such as Korea Telecom Corp., Hanaro Telecom Inc. or LG Dacom Corp. They must also subscribe a South Korean local number for the Internet calls.

In means the US soldiers can not access services from Vonage, Lingo and Verizon in South Korea. Generally, these companies provide their customers a U.S. phone number. Using that number, the customers can make international calls at local rates. In USA, the prices for VoIP services are $15 to $25 monthly.

Just a year ago, the VoIP service providers in South Korea had taken the decision to ban all internet calls of the companies that are not registered under the Korean Telecommunications Business Act.

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Source: voipcentral.org

Even though a clear cut picture is not emerging regarding the state of VoIP in UAE (United Arab Emirates), the incumbent telecom service provider, Etisalat has shown interest to bring VoIP to the people.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of UAE has banned all sorts of Internet calls in the free zones of Dubai two weeks ago. Interestingly, Etisalat has come forward to offer VoIP services to the customers despite ban, the Gulf News reported.

Nasser Salim, Vice President of Network Development at Etisalat made a strong comment at the Seventh Global Symposium for Regulators while saying,

As banning VoIP is losing a battle, Etisalat is studying how it might offer the technology to consumers. VoIP has really reduced revenue for telcos, and some countries are even banning it … But you cannot sustain such a ban. It’s coming.

It would be too early to rejoice over Etisalat assertion unless we really feel the presence of VoIP in the country.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

The UAEÂs ban on voice over internet protocol (VoIP) websites and related services is slowing down business growth, according to respondents surveyed at itp.net.
Of the 1492 users that responded, more than three quarters (just over 77%) answered ÂYes, very muchÂ, with a further 12.1% confirming, ÂTo a degree, yesÂ.

Less than 11% of respondents thought the VoIP ban was having no effect on torganizationationÂs growth.
May be Jajah is the solution to UAE problem.
VOIP IP Telephony: Disruption in VOIP IP Telephony Field By Jajah! Or is it?
Perhaps Jajah could terminate calls to and from UAE to the nearest Gateway. Since last leg is over regular phone lines, UAE authorities have no control over it. Just a thought