UK VoIP Industry discontent over Ofcom
Source: voipcentral.org
Barely a few days left for the Ofcom, UKs communications regulator to come up with a decision on the pending VoIP regulations, the VoIP operators suspect there might be over regulations for the services.
The new regulation enforces the VoIP service providers to ensure following things:
1.Emergency Calls or 999 Services at no cost
2.Network reliability and flexibility even in case of adversity conditions
3.Ensure operator assistance and directory enquires
4.Publish clear and up-to-date prices, terms and conditions
5.Itemized billing
6.Text relay services for disabled users
Terming the new regulation as anti-consumer interest, the co-fonder and chairman of the Internet Telephony Services Providers Association(ITSPA),Eli Katz said,
The net impact on consumers is that this provides a very strong disincentive to IP communications service providers from enabling 999 services. We’ve had a lot of dialogue with various emergency services bodies and ACPO [the Association of Chief Police Officers], and it would seem to be the obvious statement that the more you can enable 999 service and access to it, the more it is in the interest of consumers.
Ofcom is likely to give its decision on the proposed regulation by end of this month. The regulation has been already consulted in May. The rules were supposed to have enacted by August. However, it has been delayed for three months.
