Skype And Microsoft Call For Freeing VoIP From Regulatory Shackles

The Economic Times reports that Skype has asked TRAI to push for relaxation of licensing requirements for ISPs, and to allow ISPs to offer full fledged Internet services – they mean, allow calls from PC to phone in India. Skype feels that this inhibits broadband growth. Microsoft too has piped in with a suggestion to the TRAI to allow ISPs to connect to licensed access providers. More here.
So, lets take a hypothetical situation wherein Internet Telephony service providers are allows to terminate calls at telcos…what’s more likely – that a telco will launch/push his own VoIP service or prefer a tie-up?
Update: It seems that this was Skype’s response to TRAI, which had included Skype as a “grey market foreign company” in its consultation paper on Review of Internet Services. As per TRAI, Skype is among those offering IP based telephone services without a license, hence resulting in a loss of revenue. More at Business Standard.
Download the consultation paper on ‘Review of Internet Services’ here. (pdf)
Related:
India To Review Internet Services Policy
Government To Clamp Down On Use Of Unauthorised Internet Telephony By Corporates
Govt Mulls Bringing VoIP Operators Under ISP Licence; Expect Rates To Increase

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