The problem with the Ofcom consultation as I see it is that it seems to be regressive wrt to the position now being taken by the FCC. There are probably not many more than 250,000 VoB users worldwide so now is not the time to impose significant market constraints.
The new EU regulatory framework actually imposes very few constraints on new service providers in emerging markets such as VoIP being based as it is on the concept of "significant market power (SMP)". I don't think any carrier has SMP in VoB so the real issue is the extent to which Ofcom tinkers in the interpretation of the rules.
Unfortunately they seem to be focusing on the "red herrings" of emergency service support and lawful intercept - neither of which are of much interest to users. Fixed and mobile services already provide acceptable emergency access. The real issue is the umbrella topic of Universal Service Provision and what the impact of VoIP will be on that.
The tone of the Ofcom invitation to the VoB briefing focused on issues that could limit the market rather than promote it. Let's hope that the VoB briefing is followed up by some balanced and broad based consultation.
Iain
--On Monday, February 16, 2004 5:55 pm +0000 WipeOut <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Linus Surguy wrote:
EU?Does anyone know where I can find some more info on the VoIP laws in the
VoIP in the EU hasn't been completely sorted centrally (i.e. by the EU parliament), last time they looked at it a few years ago it wasn't perceived to be entranched enough to worry about, I suspect this will change soon.
In the UK Oftel put out a guide, which says if you're running VoIP services (i.e. back-end services, so maybe a SIP proxy/registration server or interconnection with the PSTN) you are a Communications Service Provider and covered by the same regulations as a traditional voice provider.
Just to clarify this from a different direction, Oftel/Ofcom approach these things by say that they are 'technology neutral', i.e. as standard they don't care how the service is delivered, it is the service that is regulated and not the delivery mechanism. This means in theory the rules for VoIP are the same for copper, wireless, mobile etc.
Linus
As I understand it that is what the Ofcom VoB discussion next week is all about..
The standard line telco's have to be required to provide a service in an emegency eg during a power failure, but this is impossible for a VoIP provider sine the provider does not have control over the full path or the electricity supply.. That is only one example where VoIP cannot be regulated in the same way as standard telephone services..
In my mind there will have to be separate regulations, there may well be some common clauses but they will still be separate regulations..
Later..
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