133/05
22 November 2005
VOIP policy framework announced
The Australian Government will support the introduction of a new number range to facilitate the development of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, announced today.
The Minister released a Government report into the policy and regulatory implications of VOIP services. All of the recommendations of the report have been accepted and will be implemented by Government.
The report finds that there is no immediate need for any changes to the regulatory framework and recommends some small adjustments to existing numbering, emergency services and customer service regulation to accommodate VOIP services.
A new non-geographic number range will be established for VOIP services to allow providers to offer VOIP services which are not location specific so a customer can keep the same number when moving house.
“VOIP technology is one of a range of emerging next generation services transforming global communications as carriers and consumers take advantage of cost savings and integration with video and data applications,” the Minister said.
“Innovative VOIP services are increasingly becoming available to Australian consumers. VOIP has the potential to offer consumers benefits in terms of price and convenience. By establishing a new number range for VOIP services, providers will be able to market the unique features of their services without existing phone number information being compromised.”
The Australian Government committed at the last election to reviewing next generation services such as VOIP and, if necessary, to legislate in order to remove barriers to entry,” Senator Coonan said.
“The Government wants to support VOIP services and ensure the regulatory environment does not inhibit their development. By committing to implementation of the report’s recommendations the Government will provide regulatory clarity in the short- to medium-term and help to promote a competitive communications environment.”
To ensure that consumers are aware of the choices on offer and the differences between a VOIP service and a traditional telephone service, public information will be developed in cooperation with industry.
The Australian Communications Industry Forum will host a VOIP Forum in Sydney on 6 December. The VOIP forum will focus on provider cooperation, including support, fault handling, billing and security of VOIP.
More information about the VOIP forum can be found at www.acif.org.au/projects/seminars and the Government’s report is available online at http://www.dcita.gov.au/tel/internet_and_broadband_services/emerging_voice_services.