India: VoIP remains illegal

Voice over Internet Protocol, the technology which allows a call from a PC to a landline at a cheaper rate than landline to landline, is still considered illegal in the country of India.

The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) denied reports that VOIP will be liberalized. There had been reports in the Press suggesting other wise.

The TRA’s official position is that VOIP is illegal until it is legalized. The announcement came from the TRA’s manager, administration and public relations, Adnan Al Bahar. The TRA further pointed out that until there is a firm regulation system in place, legalization will no occur.

Putting even more rain on some techies’ parade, The Director-General of the TRA, Mohamed Al Ghanim also announced that when VOIP does become available, it will only be offered by the countries two licensed operators, etisalat and du. It had been hoped that the market would be opened to all companies wanting to offer the service.

The TRA was stressing the importance of regulations and careful review after noting problems that other countries are having. They pointed out that the US, leaders in VOIP technology, has already run into situations with providers going out of business. The care taken now before entering the VOIP market place will help limit those kinds of problems in India in the future.

The TRA’s officials did make a distinction between the new technology of VOIP and the current communication between PC’s. This kind of communication is legal.