At present, internet service providers (ISPs) can provide internet telephony from personal computer to personal computer. With advancement in technology, mobile phones are facilitating voice calling through apps like Whatsapp, Skype, etc.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said, internet telephony has now become similar to conventional telephony and these providers compete directly with the existing technology used for making phone calls by landline or mobile phones.
"Therefore, it eventually has to be decided what aspects of conventional telephony regulation should apply to internet telephony service. To encourage internet telephony services in the country, issues such as allocation of telephone numbers, interconnection, interconnection usage charges and access to emergency service need to be addressed urgently," Trai said.
Voice over IP(VoIP) uses network resources much more efficiently than conventional telephone service, reducing the costs of providing a call (albeit with the loss of some call quality and service features) and creates opportunities for regulatory arbitrage that enable TSPs and consumers to reduce or avoid call charges, Trai said.
More From This Section
Industry body COAI alleged that BSNL's new service for making calls is in violation to licence norms.
The regulator has sought comments from public on internet telephony by July 21 and counter-comments by August 4, 2016.