Click this link and download the 3 pdf documents:
http://bfic.wordpress.com/2006/06/23/bel...ork-guidelines/

Main Guidance Points

1. 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.

Interesting! so does this mean skype is in or out as it was all so techie. My skype worked today for the first time but is down again!!!!!!!

Does anybody know if the PUC is going to actually do anything to stop BTL's illegal blocking of category 1 VOIP use.

Rumor is Gillie Canton (PUC Chairman) yesterday said he was meeting today with Dean Boyce and all that will be brought up. Dean Boyce will be making a public appeareance today on behalf of BTL and will be diluged with questions from the press so watch the news.