Clarifications from PTA on VoIP - Important

[Tee Emm]

Rehan Allahwala has just shared a communication from PTA of 10th March 2008 regarding clarification that the Authority has issued on the VoIP issue. See attached pdf file. For sake of continued discussion on the forum of the contents of the clarification letter, the text of the letter is attached in this email.

Please comment on how do you think this changes the current situation of VoIP and its usage.

-T

--
Tariq Mustafa MSN:t...@hotmail.com
Active Cell # http://tinyurl.com/2ob35t
Industry Blog: http://pakng.wordpress.com

In order to clarify VoIP services for the industry & consumers, to enhance the confidence of the investor and secure the interest of consumers, the Authority has approved the attached document at Annex-A under heading "Clarification regarding launching of VoIP services".


Clarification regarding launching of VoIP services

1. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using Internet protocol instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. PTA distinguishes IP/VoIP services in the following manner:

Category 1: IP Telephony offerings that are party any-to-any communication enabled.

Within this category, a gateway to the PSTN or mobile networks exists, giving the capability either to initiate or receive calls to/from POTS, but not both to initiate and receive calls to/from such services. Examples of category 1 IP Telephony offerings are outbound calling and inbound calling.

The licensee is authorized under its license to interconnect with conventional/IP networks. It is obliged to highlight availability of Best Effort Quality of Services. Non-geographic numbers can be issued for nomadic use.

Category 2: IP Telephony offerings that are any-to-any communication enabled.

Within this category, a gateway to the PSTN or mobile networks exists, giving the capability of both initiating and receiving calls to/from POTS.

The entire set of obligations under the existing license shall apply on IP telephony category-2.

Provided that PTA does not recognize IP Telephony that is not any-to-any communication enabled as service for the purpose of regulation on the ground that:

Within this category, no gateway to the PSTN/ISDN or mobile network exists, and hence there is no capability of initiating or receiving calls to/from traditional telephone services (POTS). This is pure transmission technology within a network and does not constitutes service for licensing purpose. Examples are: purely internal or intra-corporate communications under section 20(1) (a) and (b) of the Act. However, no local calls can be connected within a Region without involving LL licensees and in case of Long Distance and International calls without the Interconnect partners (as defined below).

2. The Telecom De-regulation Policy, 2003, introduced two types of licenses, i.e., LDI and LL and allowed a technology neutral licensing regime, which means tha licensee can provide licensed telecom services by using any technology such as IP, VoIP, DWDM, CDMA and so forth within flexibility of license. The Cellular Mobile Policy, 2004 also introduced technology neutral licensing regime.

3. LL and LDI licensee have inter alia rights to provide Basic Public Telephone Access services and Long Distance and International Public Voice Services, respectively.LL and LDI licensees can provide IP/VoIP telephony services within the flexibility of their licenses.

4. The right to provide access to Basic Public Telephone is with LL licensee, which is of geographical nature. However, services on INTERNET CLOUD cannot be restricted to the geographic boundaries, there, LL licensee can provide VOIP/IP telephony services by involving any LDI licensee and vice versa ("LL and LDI licensees hereinafter referred to as "the Interconnect Partners"). LDI licensee cannot provide VoIP services in collaboration with Data licensees and without involving an LL licensee.

5. For provisioning of VoIP services the Interconnect Partners may use any devices/technology including Net2phone, Vonage, Voice sticks, etc. The Interconnect partners may enter into agreement with such solution providers for provision of IP/VoIP services.

6. The CVAS licensee for data services including EIS, DCNS, and NVCNS licensees cannot provide voicie services, hence are not eligible to provide VIO/IP telephony services.

7. The provisions and rights relating to Interconnections, Numbering, emergency services, etc. and parameters of QoS are covered under the licenses and regulations.

8. The Interconnect Partners shall advertise the features of the IP/VoIP services/devices and reisk involved with it in advance prior commercially launching any services with objective to safeguard the interest of the customers.

9. The establishment of a telecom system or provision of telecom service without valid license from the Authority is an offense under section 31 of the Act. PTA shall continue its efforts to curb illegal grey traffic call terminations and origination.

[Rehan Allah Wala]

At least we now know that

MSN , yahoo and SKYPe calls ARE legal to use in Pakistan.

Maybe Zahid Jameel can give us a better understanding of the very lawyerish words.

Rehan Ahmed AllahWala
Msn/Yahoo/GoogleTalk/Email: Re...@Rehan.com

http://www.supertec.com/ - Internet Telephony Solutions
Http://www.DIDX.net - DID Number Market Place.
Don't Remember Me ? Visit http://www.Rehan.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
By Gandhi.

[Imtiaz Noor]

My favourite clause:

Within this category, no gateway to the PSTN/ISDN or mobile network exists, and hence there is no capability of initiating or receiving calls to/from traditional telephone services (POTS). This is pure transmission technology within a network and does not constitutes service for licensing purpose. Examples are: purely internal or intra-corporate communications under section 20(1) (a) and (b) of the Act. However, no local calls can be connected within a Region without involving LL licensees and in case of Long Distance and International calls without the Interconnect partners (as defined below).

means i can use my PABX to connect with my own orgainzations offices within the country and abroad over IP!!!

would appreciate some lawyer input though!

--
- Inspirex

[Imtiaz Noor]

Actually, I think I overreacted back there.
My apologies.

Just need one clarification.

Assuming I build an office communication system over hybrid/IP technology and my my remote offices use similar systems.

If I were to connect my offices together over IP, I would be using PSTN or any other means of IP access, but the communication would only be between two nodes of the same office and not to call or access any landline or mobile number out of the organization.

In those circumstances, what Category of VOIP applies and do i still need a licence?

--
- Inspirex

[Ashar]

First reading indicates that you CANNOT use your PABX for unregulated traffic
(eg Skype) if the PABX is connected to a Local Loop service provider. Makes
sense as the equipment could be used for illegal termination/origination of
traffic

"20 (b) ...any telecommunication service which.. is not connected to any other
telecom. system and where all telecom equipment ..is established by a person
for hs own use and under his own control and is situated either in a single
set of premises in single occupation within a single unbroken boundry...."

Not sure why they have the 2 categories - they are not really useful in terms
of regulation. In fact Cat 1 looks like its is Rehan specific :-)

Ashar

> > > respectively.LLand LDI licensees can provide IP/VoIP telephony services

--
The fact that it works is immaterial.
-- L. Ogborn

[Tee Emm]

The ITSP operations (where smaller, licensed ISPs, are allowed to offer Internet based telephony services) have not been allowed. This was not highly anticipated but would have been very good to be in place. ITSP offerings are never true replacements of good old LL or the ever powerful cellular services and are a class of their own. Apart from making international communications more affordable, an ITSP operations allowance would have given a new lease of life to the ailing ISP sector in the country.

-T

Stuff I am sharing: http://tinyurl.com/2kagdu

[Tariq]

I am confused to understand, what about call center?

Would anyone care to help me to understand this VoIP in case of Call
Center.

Tariq

On Mar 14, 9:12 am, "Tee Emm" <tariq.must...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The ITSP operations (where smaller, licensed ISPs, are allowed to offer
> Internet based telephony services) have not been allowed. This was not
> highly anticipated but would have been very good to be in place. ITSP
> offerings are never true replacements of good old LL or the ever powerful
> cellular services and are a class of their own. Apart from making
> international communications more affordable, an ITSP operations allowance
> would have given a new lease of life to the ailing ISP sector in the
> country.
>
> -T
>
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 6:52 PM, Tee Emm <tariq.must...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Rehan Allahwala has just shared a communication from PTA of 10th March
> > 2008 regarding clarification that the Authority has issued on the VoIP
> > issue. See attached pdf file. For sake of continued discussion on the forum
> > of the contents of the clarification letter, the text of the letter is
> > attached in this email.
>
> > Please comment on how do you think this changes the current situation of
> > VoIP and its usage.
>
> > -T
>
> > --
> > Tariq Mustafa MSN:t...@hotmail.com

> > Active Cell #http://tinyurl.com/2ob35t

> > Industry Blog:http://pakng.wordpress.com
>
> > In order to clarify VoIP services for the industry & consumers, to enhance
> > the confidence of the investor and secure the interest of consumers, the

> > Authority has approved the attached document at Annex-A under heading *"Clarification
> > regarding launching of VoIP services".*
>
> > *Clarification regarding launching of VoIP services*

>
> > 1. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to
> > make voice calls using Internet protocol instead of a regular (or analog)
> > phone line. PTA distinguishes IP/VoIP services in the following manner:
>
> > Category 1: IP Telephony offerings that are party any-to-any communication
> > enabled.
>
> > Within this category, a gateway to the PSTN or mobile networks exists,
> > giving the capability either to initiate or receive calls to/from POTS, but

> > *not both* to initiate and receive calls to/from such services. Examples

> Active Cell #http://tinyurl.com/2ob35t

[Rehan Allah Wala]

First there is NO LICENCE to use VOIP unless u are

1. Local Loop Operator
2. LDI

This is my understanding:-

What you want to do is LEGAL UNLESS

You do not use any PSTN in and out for this inter office communication.

I am trying to convince local phone companies to install something like ip-pabx.com or
become our billing partner, once they do that, you can use VOIP and it will be 100% legal to
do, as the billing will be done by them.

Rehan

[Rehan Allah Wala]

Call centers were already allowed to use this, HOWEVER call centers who use voip for out
going are LOOSING money.

PASHA.org is doing a seminar on how to fine tune your telecom bill in 10 days, Maybe u
should register on it, it will show u how you can NOT use VOIP and save more money by doing
that.

REhan

Rehan Ahmed AllahWala