OUR seeks clarification on VoIP block

Richard Browne, Business Reporter

The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) is to examine more closely whether Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) services can be considered as illegal bypass before deciding whether LIME and Digicel can continue to block those services from its networks.

Internet customers have been using VoIP services to make and receive free calls over their mobile Internet networks.

The OUR has been holding meetings with LIME and Digicel, as well as representatives of the Consumer Affairs Commission and other persons representing consumer interests since earlier in the month.

The regulatory body is mostly concerned about whether the actions of the VoIP providers is tantamount to bypass activity - as stated by the telecom companies - and has asked them to provide information on that aspect.

As a result, the block is likely to continue to, at least, the end of the month, even though Digicel's block has been lifted in other markets including Trinidad and Haiti.

"The OUR has requested additional information from telecommunications providers LIME and Digicel on their decision to block certain providers of Voice over Internet Protocol services on their network," said a release from the regulators last Friday.

requested information

"Among the information requested from the two companies are data showing the nature of the alleged bypass of their networks by VoIP providers and its impact," the release said.

"The OUR expects to receive the information before the end of the month," the release said.

LIME has not been very vocal on the issue, even though it joined Digicel in blocking Viber.

"We continue to review all VoIP apps on our network," Elon Parkinson, communications manager at LIME said in a response to Wednesday Business queries.

Digicel also confirmed last week that it is still blocking VoIP services.

"Digicel Jamaica continues to block unlicensed number-based VoIP operators until a mutually beneficial commercial relationship can be agreed," said Gail Moss-Solomon, Digicel's head of legal and regulatory affairs.

Viber and Nimbuzz are two VoIP providers that are known to be blocked, but Digicel has not given a full list of the affected services.

"The list of those operators is under continued review," Moss-Solomon said.

increased Viber usage

"We also continue to have discussions with the OUR on the matter," she added.

The end effect of the block has increased usage of Viber. The company sent out a text message to customers last week telling them that they could now freely access the service.

"We're pleased to hear that you are able to use Viber again to communicate freely," the message said.

"Create a group and spread the news among your friends," the message said.

Earlier this month, both LIME and Digicel blocked Viber from delivering voice communications over their networks, citing it as a type of illegal bypass. Digicel has gone further by blocking a greater number of VoIP services, and referring to them as "parasites".

net neutrality

But users argue that it is an issue of "net neutrality" and that they should be allowed free access to the Internet data they have paid for, no matter what services they may use.

Government too has come out in favour of net neutrality.

Julian Robinson, minister of state in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining announced last week that it supported the concept of net neutrality, whereby users should have equal access to all Internet data.

But he said the decision on whether the block should be removed would have to come from the OUR and not Government.

According to The Telecommunications Act, bypass are "operations that circumvent the international network of a licenced international voice carrier in the provision of international voice services".