Philippine regulator set to approve VoIP calls

(Manila Standard via NewsEdge) Rates of international voice calls are expected to go down substantially after the National Telecommunications Commission came out with a draft memorandum allowing ISPs and other entities to offer VoIP as a value-added service.

NTC commissioner Ronald Olivar Solis said the commission is of the position that VoIP technology is a value-added service, which means that non-telecom companies can now offer the service.

In drafting the circular on VoIP, Solis said the NTC considered the huge benefits of VoIP in terms of providing the public with an efficient, reliable and cheaper means of communications.

Based on the draft memorandum, entities interested in offering VoIP for use by the public for a fee would have to register with NTC.

Solis said the move would not only benefit ISPs but also local exchange carriers as they would be allowed to impose access charges.

Solis said the NTC would allow ISP and telecom companies to discuss among themselves the access charge. The draft rules, however, are still subject to public hearing on May 3.

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