Belize Tourism Industry Association
Promoting sustainable eco-cultural tourism
MEMBERSHIP SURVEY
VoIP - Does blocking VoIP affect YOU?
Have you been a regular user of Skype, Vonage, SpeakEasy, VerizonSpeak and others? Noticed that lately you've been experiencing trouble connecting and utilizing these services? Silent moments, repeated sounds, buzzes?
Here's the good news: it's almost certainly fixable. The bad news? WE MUST lobby the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to fix it.
VoIP customers around the world are discovering that their calls cannot be connected because telecom companies (like BTL) are blocking the movement of such traffic across the net.
It turns out that BTL has jammed the signal on VoIP (voice over internet protocol). They have gone as far as jamming chat and messenger programs like GoogleTalk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Voice and other. What this means, simply, is that BTL is mandating what you should and should not do with your internet connection.
This continues to create a monopoly which BTL should no longer have and forces us to continue to pay exorbitant prices per minute for international calls. It is unwarranted for Belizeans to be held hostage by one company who already makes a substantial profit with fixed lines, cellular services, Internet fee and various other services.
The BTIA would like your assistance in surveying the effects of BTL's actions on providing your products and services. Once we have ascertained the extent of effect, we will forward an official position to the PUC.
SURVEY:
Does BTL's actions in blocking VoIP affect your business adversely? _______ Yes or _______ NO
If the answer is Yes, kindly state some reason why:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Please note that all response will be kept confidential and only used collectively in providing the PUC with a specific position of the issue as it relates to the tourism industry.
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Below are some additional useful information to assist you in explanation of VoIP and the issues surrounding this technology.
What is VoIP and how does it work?
VoIP (often pronounced 'voype') is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol (IP).
What does that mean? VoIP is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone through an adapter.
Members can also read the following article from the UK newspaper Guardian Unlimited entitled "Trouble on the line". You can find the full article at: http://technology.guardian.co.uk/online/insideit/story/0,,1747491,00.html.
Mr. Kurt N. Clare
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Marketing & Information Officer
Belize Tourism Industry Association
#10 North Park Street,
Belize City, Belize, C.A.
Tel: 501-227-1144 or 227-5717 Ext. 28
Fax: 501-227-8710
BTIA Membership Forums @
www.btia.org