ITSPA raises concerns of new Ofcom VoIP guidelines

While broadly welcoming new regulatory guidelines on VoIP services by Ofcom, the Internet Telephony Services Providers' Association (ITSPA) has said it is concerned VoIP will have stricter regulatory burdens than other UK telecoms services and the new regulations may impose an unfair financial burden.

ITSPA said it is "wary that the detail of the new rules may have unfortunate implications for UK businesses and consumers".

The trade body highlighted the concern that the new measures will be hard to enforce against providers who are based overseas, but market their services within the UK.

"This will be a significant threat to the UK consumer, who may not be aware of the disparity," ITSPA said in a statement.

It also said that the new rules add extra regulatory costs and this may put the UK VoIP industry at a disadvantage against international competitors, and risk "hindering the creative development of the industry at an early stage".

ITSPA said it has been in discussion with Ofcom throughout the consultation process for the new regulations.

Posted on: 2007-04-04, in: General VoIP

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