Re: VOIP in Pakistan

[Tee Emm <tm@super.net.pk>]

rahim ali wrote:

> As we all know that this year would be the end of PTCL monopoly in 
> Pakistan. What you think VOIP will become legal in Pakistan from 2003 or 
> they would have some more restriction. Legally or by law can PTCL stop 
> some one to make VOIP calls.
>
> Rahim
Year 2003 brings an end to the PTCL's exclusivity on voice in Pakistan
in line with Pakistan's committments to the WTO regime which demands
liberated, competitive telecom markets in the signatory countries.

It is important to note that it is the Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA)
whose activities will be the focus of attention in the post deregulation
era. PTCL would (or at least should!) be lowered from the current 'law
maker' status to an 'operator' status which is bound by the policies
spelt out by the regulatory authority - PTA.

Pakistan's telecom industry - still in its fetal state - is in the midst
of a wishful-cum-doubtful status looking towards the elevation of PTA
from the current status of 'Team B of PTCL' to that of an 'unbaised, growth-
oriented telecom regulator'. Much will depend on how does PTA evolves
in this new era from letter to sprit.

Regarding the original issue of VoIP in the post 2003 period, the scene
would not be a 'free as a jungle'. The phrase 'liberated market' only
applies to a market state where more than one or two players would be able
to provider service to the public. How many players would be there and
how much 'leveled' field would be provided for a healthy competition for
which would ultimately benefit the common man reamins to be seen.

As of now, PTA is involving the industry in its consultationary process
where input from the industry is being taken as to what should the 'laws'
look like after the monopoly era is over. More than one licensing models
have been put up for discussion each with their own pros and cons.

Of all the complexity, one thing is clear. Internet Telephony is being
given the due importance is deserves. While 'unregistered' and 'unlicensed'
VoIP termination would still wear the black mask of illegality, the 50+
ISPs of the country would be offered a slightly different license which
will give legal cover to the Internet Telephony operations these ISPs might
(and most probably would) like to start.

Year 2003 should bring in more oxygen to the current suffocated telecom
environment not only in terms of customer friendly telecom service rates
but in the form of plethora of finely differentiated telecom services
each catering to its niche market.

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