I received a call from the PUC today asking me to confirm my email address so that next week they can send me a PUC announcement regarding VoIP. The kind lady was reluctant to divulge any more information, but she did say she was making many calls to get email addresses of the attendees of the 4/26 forum.

The news came early. Click on this link and download the 3 documents the PUC released today.

http://bfic.wordpress.com/2006/06/23/bel...ork-guidelines/

"The following classifications are based on the assessment of the current situation in Belize, the review of several ITU studies, and observations of the regulatory treatment of VoIP communications in other countries.

Category 1: VoIP offerings where there is no provision of service; i.e. the VoIP communication is self provided such as a software program downloaded to run on a personal computer. The VoIP communication uses the intrinsic capabilities of the public internet, i.e. it resides solely on the internet, and the user is not publicly available by means of an assigned unique telephone number

For example, a customer of a licensed internet service provider in Belize accesses a website on the internet and downloads a VoIP software programme, usually provided free of cost, onto his/her personal computer. This software programme enables the personal computer user to engage in VoIP communication. In this category, the personal computer user is not publicly available since the user does not have a unique telephone number that opens contact with the public at large. Category 1 VoIP communications does not require licensing.

Category 2: VoIP communication by users who have no specific public obligations such as corporate private networks (where VoIP is used to provide communications inside companies) and IP technologies used within a public telecommunication service provider’s core network, but which do not impinge on the retail services offered to the end-user. Category 2 VoIP communications requires licensing and the equipment used to enable the use of VoIP requires type approval.

Category 3: VoIP communication which is publicly available through a telecommunication service being provided to the end user by a service provider using VoIP technology. This VoIP enabled telecommunication service is a service available to the public (where there is access to and/or from the PSTN) for originating and receiving national and international calls through an assigned number or numbers. Category 3 VoIP communications requires licensing.

Category 3 services are further divided into two sub-classifications: (1) services marketed as secondary line services and, (2) services marketed as replacements for the traditional PSTN based call services. License obligations in reference to provision of emergency calling service, universal access, etc. may differ between the sub-classifications. Category 3(1) service providers are required to inform their customers about the limitations of their service. "

Which means, Skype is okay. Anyone know where I can buy a headset? BTL is now reqired to 'unblock' Sykpe, is it working yet? If not call PUC 227 1176 and let them know.

June 23 at 5:00 PM SKYPE is NOT working at all.

SKYPE to SKYPE (computer to computer) calls are allowed. SKYPE to land line calls appear to be not allowed by my reading of this information.

That being said, only one of my SKYPE friends has been reachable at this time. All other SKYPE accounts are shown as "off line", even friends who I know have computers on cable in the US that are always on line. The SKYPE test call will not work and you can reach noone inside Belize.

Anyone else haveing any success??

Do you all really think BTL is going to unblock because the PUC said so?? Have I got a bridge to sell you!

P.U.C.: VoIP verdict is fair and legal
The verdict is in on VoIP and according to the Public Utilities Commission, if the service provider isn't licensed in Belize, it ain't legal. According to the P.U.C., in its attempt to categorize, classify, and legalize the popular internet protocol, it has determined that if a customer downloads software and uses it to communicate with other subscribers, that person does not require a license. One such example is the Skype. But if you register with a company like Vonage and get a telephone number where anyone can contact you that service has to be licensed here. In fact, the commission points to the application form for a high speed internet connection from Belize Telecommunications Limited where it specifically contracts customers not to use the service for voice or video communication.And while the decision is not expected to sit well with all those people who have been enjoying VoIP's cheap calls, this afternoon P.U.C. chairman Dr. Gilbert Canton maintain that customers will still have a choice in telecommunications.

Dr. Gilbert Canton, Chairman, Public Utilities Commission
“The people that are out there that are using the Vonage service the way that they are using it right now are probably not going to be satisfied with the P.U.C.’s position at this point and time. In terms of how that service is affected, but we are hoping that this is just an interim situation and that the providers in Belize will start making those types of arrangements to offer a similar type of service in Belize. We are very positive in the sense that during the consultations, we know that a number of the I.S.P.s and in fact, B.T.L. has been talking about offering a similar type of service. We all recognize it might not be as cheap as Vonage but as mentioned earlier, they are not making money either. But at least it will be licensed in Belize, legal if you want to put it that way and at a rate that people will be more satisfied than using just the traditional international rates and stuff like that. We recognize that people want this type of service and we’re hoping that through this mechanism, we are opening it up so it can be offered in Belize by truly licensed providers in Belize that are playing by the rules in Belize.”

Janelle Chanona
“And that way you’ll get taxes?”

Dr. Gilbert Canton
“That way the benefit becomes truly a benefit to the country, in other words, government still get taxes, license fees are paid and the users out there have the economic benefit of lower rates and better access. Those kinds of issues.”

But when it comes to trying to fit technology into a legal box, Canton contends it's better to wait and watch than jump the gun.

Dr. Gilbert Canton
“It’s moving so fast, you put anything in place at this point in time it might be outdated a year from now. So let’s see where it’s all going to go and then once we are certain that it’s going there then we put something in place. And most people are talking about really just coming up with one law called a convergence law, which includes telecommunication, includes broadcasting and includes all these different things. Because it’s all just becoming one thing now offered over one service.”

Essentially what they have done is prohibited any service which charges money that BTL/GOB doesn't get a cut of...

In their foolishness, they have made two distinctions that are going to continue to be blurred by new technology:

1) It is okay if VoIP is used via software on your computer (i.e. Skype, MSN Voice , Yahoo Voice) and specifically not via an analog adapter (Vonage, Packet 8)

2) It is NOT okay for any service to have a public number on which anybody on the PSTN can call. Whether this means Belize # or any # remains to be seen.

Uhm, a few points:

- Skype, Yahoo and soon all of the software-based services will have PSTN gateway services (you will have a xxx.xxx.xxxx # associated with the account)

- Vonage works via a softphone too, VoIP software installed on the computer. It is possible to make a call to another Vonage user without accessing the PSTN. This is just like Skype.

- Soon all the services will work via analog adapter, ip phone or on the computer. This is one of great features of voip.

The PUC is CONFUSED. They have been thouroughly misinformed and this is VERY bad for consumer choice in Belize.

Not just consumer choice. For their pocketbooks, long term. If someone in the US wants to call and make a reservation to stay at a hotel in Belize and the hotel has a Vonage number, they are cut off. BTL and GOB currently make NO MONEY on incoming calls. So why cut off your nose to spite your face? Even if they allowed incoming calls, it would make it MUCH EASIER for prospective tourists, developers, investors, etc. to get in touch with someone in Belize. But now, they will be unable to. Now, there is a way to call those persons back...via BTL. But if those persons are not reached in a timely manner, they will go elsewhere.....Panama, Costa Rica, etc.......and then BTL and the GOB will be forced to raise prices, taxes, etc., for all of those who stay here. Teenagers are supposed to want instant gratification and have very little long term sight.....I didnt know there were actually grown ups, companies, and governments with the same mentality of a 14 year old.

So skype is still not working? How do you get the PSTN gateway services xxx.xxx.xxxx # associated with the account?

Belize Public Service Commission’s decision on VOIP in a nutshell:

You can download and use internet voice programs as long as you do not acquire a assigned phone number.
If you want a “assigned telephone number” you must acquire it through a Belize licensed provider.
You can use an “adapter” or “internet phone handset” attached to your computer which creates a telephone-like use thru internet only if acquired through a Belize-licensed provider.
A Belize internet provider cannot create any restrictions to voice over internet (such as blocking or degradation) without informing you that they do so.
. If the provider does place voice-use restrictions on your normal internet service, they must offer a “premium” service that does not have those restrictions.

So nothing changes; BTL will keep blocking, as they have informed everybody in their contracts.... The only thing they have to do is create a premium account (for example at BZ$ 5,000 per month), and then they are operating according to the law.

and I thought the phone companies in the US were greedy and spiteful...

Quick question......is BTL able to block or interfere with Vonnage is I have satellite internet connection???

Vonage does not work on satellite

from a fellow nerd

My Vonage still works 50%, I can make calls but not recieve. Skype started acting up as of yesterday & I can only make SkypeOut calls.

The PUC's decision keeps the price of voice communication high, effectively transfering wealth from citizens of Belize to the protected, state-owned, BTL. The Internet, especially broadband, offers the possibility of heavily reducing the cost of communication, and allowing people in Belize the same ability to access and share information as people in other superpower countries. This ridiculous decision threatens to throttle that hope.

Obviously the PUC indivduals are now richer by a few thousand dollars each.

PUC Issues VoIP Regulatory Policy and Framework Guidelines

The PUC has provided guidance on how Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is
to be treated in the context of the existing policies and legislative
framework with the issuance today of its working paper, "Voice Over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) Regulatory Policy and Framework Guidelines". The
guidelines have been developed to move the telecommunications sector
towards greater competition and choice for consumers with regard to VoIP.

The PUC determined that development of the guidelines would be more
effective, expedient and prudent at this time due to the changing
technological and market environment that exists in telecommunications.

The PUC guidance was presented at a briefing of the local media this
afternoon, and has been circulated to stakeholders in the
telecommunications sector. The paper is the result of extensive research,
analysis, and consultation carried out by the PUC over the last two months.
The PUC also took into account the information presented at the VoIP
Public Forum held on April 26, 2006.

Main Guidance Points

The PUC considers VoIP communication to be a data service in the context of
the Telecommunications Act and has specified which of the VoIP communication
services require licensing by the PUC. A license ensures that service
providers are subject to the provisions of the law including consumer
protection, emergency calling and universal access where appropriate,
license obligations and tax and license fees regimes.


2. Category 1 VoIP communication does not require a license. This VoIP
communication is self-provided, where a software program is downloaded to
run on a personal computer, and the end user is not publicly available by
means of an assigned unique telephone number.

3. Categories of VoIP communication that require licensing by the PUC are:

(a) Category 2 which includes corporate private networks, and IP
technologies that are used within a public telecommunications service
provider's network but which do not impact the retail services offered to
end-users.

(b) Category 3 VoIP communication which is publicly available through a
service provider via an assigned telephone number.

4. Both Individual License Holders and licensed Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) can offer Category 3 VoIP communication.


5. Licensed service providers are not to include any restrictions (such as
blocking or degradation) of Category 1VoIP communication to any class of
customer, and Category 3 VoIP communication to other licensed service
providers.

6. A licensed service provider who selectively degrades or blocks third
party Category 3 VoIP traffic on their networks to an end-user is to notify
the customer of the existence or imposition of this service limitation so
that the customer can exercise choice in service providers in this
developing competitive market.

7. Service providers who offer restricted services should also offer an
alternative service that does not include restrictions as an option to
customers.

8. Service providers are to ensure that the terms and conditions of the
service being provided are set out in the relevant Agreement or Customer
Code in a transparent and easily understood manner.

9. All service agreements are to be filed with the PUC.

In the paper the PUC has noted that as regulator of the sector it is
required to promote reliable and affordable telecommunication services,
foster increased reliance on market forces for the provision of
telecommunication services, and encourage investment and innovation in the
telecommunication sector.

A continuous review of the VoIP issue is expected as services develop in
Belize, given the rapid development pace of technology and markets. The
paper should provide further clarity on the regulatory policy position of
the PUC and provide the associated guidance on how VoIP communications can
be incorporated into the economic and social fabric of Belize.

(ENDS)

June 22, 2006
Public Utilities Commission
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Technical Notes
1. The Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) and the Speednet
Communications Limited (Speednet) are Individual Licensees and can provide
voice services using VoIP under their existing licenses.
2. The PUC considers the provision of voice services using VoIP a data service and
not real time voice service; thus Internet Service Providers can provide voice
services using VoIP.
3. Anyone who downloads any VoIP software on his computer for his personal use
and not on behalf of a third party and does not have an assigned unique telephone
number does not require a license.
4. Only licensed Internet Service Providers are authorized to offer voice services
using VoIP and if the ISP is using the services of a Foreign Internet Telephony
Service Provider, proof must be presented to the PUC of a legal agreement
between the stakeholders.
5. Where the Internet Telephony Services offered by the licensed Internet Service
Provider involve a unique assigned telephone number, the numbers must be preassigned
by the PUC in conformity with the Belize National Numbering Plan.
6. The importation of Analogue Telephone Adapters (ATA) requires type approval
by the PUC. Importers/Retailers must conform to the regulations set out in SI 152.
Only PUC Licensed Providers are authorized to process the activation of these
devices.
7. Anyone who downloads VoIP software on his computer to use with an Internet
Telephony Service Provider outside of Belize not licensed by the PUC with a
unique assigned telephone number is unauthorized.

staying in contact with family in another country can be difficult with expensive telephone charges from btl..the internet makes contact esp for emergencies crucial...

Try checking your VOIP speedwith the following program:
http://myvoipspeed.visualware.com/

BTL is allowing a good download speed and a very low upload speed. Web pages are OK to load but when you try to change pages it all slows down.
In the past, I have only bedd able to attach one picture to an email. It used to take less than one minute to upload. Now it takes between two to three minutes.

Bottom line, they have managed to block VOIP at the expense of screwing up all their other services. No body wins except Michael Ashcroft, the rich Brit, who now owns controlling interest in BTL. The money all goes off shore.

PUC meets with BTL manana to discuss Skype and compliance with PUC decision. Call BTL chairperson Dean Boyce (cel 610 1000) and complain.

Fire away!

Dean Boyce

C/o Carlisle Holdings

60 Market Square

PO Box 1764, Belize City

Tel: 610-1000

Fax: 223-4935

E-mail: dboyce@btl.net

Info from:

http://www.belizebritishchamber.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=50

http://www.lordashcroft.com/

http://www.bbholdingslimited.com/

http://www.belizebank.com/index.html

http://finance.google.com/finance?q=OTC%3ABBHLF

Lots more news today... including an ISP alliance plotting their own VoIP strategy under the new PUC guidelines.

http://bfic.wordpress.com

My personal favorite quote from BTL:

Keith Swift (Channel 7),
Is BTL blocking services like Skype?

Dean Boyce (Executive Chairman of BTL),
“We are providing an internet service and if our system will not allow access to some certain foreign service providers, then that is not really my concern.”

What a joke that Dean Boyce (BTL Chairman) is.. "It was only about four – five years ago where there was only the basic analog system, there was twenty five thousand customers. Now there is a hundred and twenty thousand cellular customers."

and in the same breath he claims that "We make all out profit from international and we lose money on domestic." What a big fat liar he is.

BTL made $.61 per share in 2004, $.05 per share in 2005. Looks like they are doing down the tubes until you add back the $28,000,000 they "lost" through their financial dealings (see their yearly report), then they would have made $1.05 per share. Nice increase, year to year.

Has anyone raised the question: Why can't we at least let the incoming calls work. That is NO $$ out of BTL pocket. And with incoming calls the hotel/dive, etc. business get bookings - and as we know that in turn brings money into the country. WHY BLOCK THE INCOMING CALLS!!

Need to know the contractual terms for the incoming calls. They may NOT be free.

BTL does get paid for incoming international calls, roughly $.28/min minus any carrier's mark up. The point is when we use a VoIP phone to receive incoming international calls to a US#, BTL doesn't get paid. And they shouldn't, VoIP is a data service, and we all pay for our DSL data dearly.

The more intensive your DATA requirements become, the higher the service you will get from BTL. The DSL service is the source of revenue and taxes, BTL/PUC have just gotten greedy... and are trying to confuse you.

If we accept the PUC's ruling as law it seems BTL is now operating illegally. Will the law be enforced?

First off the PUC ruling is not law, it is a sugestion. PUC has yet to enforce a ruling on any subject, only make suggestions.

The part of this that can be enforced is the granting of new licensing to operate ISPs w/ competitive VoIP services. I would not hold your breath of any type of concessions from BTL. But I would expect that in the next 6-18mo we see a competitive ISP, combining wireless and cable connections, offering a VoIP product similar to Vonage. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, users have already started to "secure" their own Skype/PCPhone/Softphone traffic. Check it out:

http://bfic.wordpress.com/2006/06/27/when-the-going-gets-tough-encrypt/

Happy Calling...

As I understand it though, all ISPs in Belize route through BTL. Is that not correct?

DaBunk, you are correct. BTL has exclusive rights to the physical ARCOS landing station that brings all of Belize's wireline connectivity (I believe it is located in Ladyville). Group X is planning to change that bringing in an alternative carrier's connections (hint: not via the Caribbean Sea).

What the PUC could do is create a policy and support legislation that would free up access to that landing station, it would save a bunch of time and energy. If that were granted, any competitive provider could purchase undersea capacity and furthermore cheap IP bandwidth from the states (via MIA).

The following is a copy of an email and reply that I recieved from the President of WiFi Consulting regarding the ability to overcome blocking of VOIP's

To: support@HotSpotVPN.com
Subject: Skype

"I have a condo on Abergris Caye, Belize. I have wired in DSL service.
I use Skype (VOIP) for communicating with the US while in Belize. More
frequently than not, Belize Telephone Limited who's lines are used for
the internet connection, blocks Skype & other similar VOIP's. Will your
program alleviate the problem & if so, which one of your programs would
you recommend. I have Windows XP."
Thanks,
Al Kruebbe
Peninsula Mortgage, Inc.

His Reply:
Yes it works. We have a lot of customers using the service just this
way. I actually did some tech support with a customer in China (I'm in
Washington DC) and it sounded suprisingly good. The best sounding
solution is to use a computer with a USB headset and then use
hotspotVPN2, change the default hsvpn2 config from tcp to udp for better
sound quality. It also allows you to take advantage of Skype's free
calls to the US and Canada for the rest of the year even though Skype is
limiting this to Skype calls that originate in the US.

Thank you.

GT


_____

Secure Wireless Networking Now

Glynn Taylor

President

It sounds good to me. I'm going to try it when we get back down in September. Only around $8.00 per month.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nice work Al,

Here is a another breakdown of VPN services that we should be trying, HotspotVPN is one of them:

http://bfic.wordpress.com/2006/07/15/encryption-services-part-deux/

Happy Calling.

Honestly, if BTL can ignore the PUC's ruling, so can we...

Lots of people in Belize are using VPN technology to "secure" their voice data streams. After receiving feedback from numerous sources, it looks like the best combination of the VPN service and VoIP client is with:

http://anchorfree.com - Free SSL VPN client

http://www.gizmoproject.com - VoIP client like Skype, same kind of deal adding credits to call regular phones

Many folks are reporting that Skype does not work well operating over a VPN. The major reason for this is the double encryption. Skype is already encrypted in its natural state and adding a VPN to the stream really disrupts the voice quality. Use Gizmo/AnchorFree and see there is a difference for you. Keep checking back to BFIC for more news.

http://bfic.wordpress.com

I have used PublicVPN and hotspotVPN services with some success. HotspotVPN seems to be faster and more reliable, at least with SkypeOut. It also works well with Vonage, incoming and outgoing. Unfortunately, I believe our days using encryption to circumvent BTL’s blocking of VOIP services are numbered. The VPN protocols, (except for SSL) can be easily blocked. SSL VPN tunnels cannot be blocked - if they were, online banking, and indeed all online commerce would be unavailable in Belize. It is trivial however, to block access to the gateways that are used by services such as PublicVPN and HotspotVPN, and I have a feeling BTL will do this sooner, rather than later. VPN tunnels are being installed at a rapid rate, and people are talking about it. As BTL becomes aware of the number of individuals and businesses that are using this type of service, they will most certainly want to knock us off the air. I hope I am wrong, but,,,,

BTL actually did block gateway.publicvpn.net one afternoon about a month ago. The server was confirmed available from the states, but to no one in Belize for about 6 hours.

BTL has decided to fight their own customers. Until there is a viable alternative, my opionin is that we fight back. The folks at the PUC have proven to be illegitimate pawns. They spend MONTHS developing a policy that now is being IGNORED. They didn't even bother to get a commitment from BTL to honor their ridiculous ruling. People... The PUC considers their job done!?!?! Whatever.

There are literaly thousands of ways to get around BTL's blocking. I propose we step through them one of one, like a chess game (with an opponent that we are paying to play). This will buy us time for new licensed competitors to get into the market with both fresh facilities and local VoIP offerings. They are coming, they will compete, and trust me BTL will sing a different tune when that happens.

As for making these methods public... we aren't breaking laws. BTL IS. Until these criminals are stopped, we have to get back to business. Obscurity will let this issue die and lots of people will succomb to BTL without a means to fight. Spread the word, speak freely, fight the power

http://www.bfic.org

I hear that although it's possible to make calls over a cable connection, it may not be possible for others to call in. Is this so?