NTC issues latest draft rules on VoIP
MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued a newer set of draft rules for voice over Internet Prototocl (VoIP) services to promote more competition in the country.
The latest draft rules, a copy of which was obtained by INQUIRER.net, outlined additional policies that were set to “clarify and supplement” previous rules on access charges.
VoIP providers are still required to enter interconnection agreements with at least one public switched telephone networks (PSTN), which in turn, will take care of routing calls to and from other networks, the new draft rules said.
The VoIP providers are also required to pay so-called “transmit charges” of not more than P0.25 per minute. The same transmit charges apply to VoIP providers accessing mobile phone networks, the rules said.
The new rules, however, stressed that access charges for VoIP calls originating from or terminating to a telephone network will not exceed the cost of regular national long distance calls.
Access charges from or those terminating to a PSTN will not exceed P1.00 per minute, while those originating to and terminating from a mobile network will not go beyond P1.50 per minute.
VoIP providers using existing broadband Internet networks will not be required to enter commercial agreements with any network provider, the rules said.
The NTC is set to hold a public hearing on the new draft rules soon, NTC Deputy Commissioner Jorge Sarmiento said.
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20080122-114098/NTC-issues-latest-draft-rules-on-VoIP