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Press
Release
Today, the Telecommunications Unit issued a
consultative document to all interested
parties in the Information Communication
Technology sector requesting comments on
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and
other IP Services.
Comments are required by April 30, 2005.
The Ministries conclusions are listed below:
(1) As
stated elsewhere, one of the Ministries
policy goals is to encourage innovation in
new and emerging technologies, and the
development and deployment of new
applications and services. The following
is a policy framework which will encourage
investment, innovation and development of
VoIP and IP-enabled services, including IP
Telephony, to provide businesses and
consumers more service choice in terms of
price, quality and service features.
(2)
VoIP is considered as an information service
and will not be subject to price regulation.
(3) Cyber Café’s selling VoIP
services must be registered with
theTelecommunications Unit for a one off fee
of $100.00. The Telecommunications Unit
will maintain a register of such service
providers.
(4)
Persons who sell VoIP telephones and other
IP devices must hold a valid Sellers and
Dealers Licence from the Telecommunications
Unit.
(5)
VoIP for private use by individuals will be
permitted without regulation or licensing.
(6)
Major suppliers of VoIP to the public using
an adaptor will be allowed to set up this
service without licensing for year one,
however at the end of year one, they will be
required to submit audited statements of
their Annual Gross Turn Over (AGTO) to the
Ministry. If the Ministry finds that the
AGTO exceeds a certain limit, the provider
may be asked to pay 1.5% of AGTO to the
Ministry.
When
comments are received, the matter will be
submitted to Cabinet and the VoIP policy
should be agreed and published by May 31,
1005.
Issued
by: Telecommunications Unit, Ministry of
Energy and Public Utilities, Barbados
Dated: March 16, 2005
Also see:
Barbados Chief
Telecommunications Officer Champions VoIP |
