Colombia's communications ministry has officially clarified that operators without a long distance license may only offer Voice over IP services for PC to PC calls, local daily La República reported.
The restriction is likely to last only until August 2007, when Colombia plans to liberalize the long distance market.
The ministry's statement also makes clear that mobile and trunking operators must use the services of a licensed long distance operator to make international long distance calls, and may not use internet-based value added services.
The long distance operators - ETB, Orbitel and Telecom - claim that mobile operator Comcel has indeed been using IP networks other than theirs for completing international calls, and allege the operator diverted business worth US$70mn from their networks.
IP telephony is also permitted for use by private networks which channel calls between employees of the same company.
BNamericas.com"
Posted to the site on 17th May 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/17413.php