AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Nation VoIP: discussion of the VOIP problem

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)