TRAI allows Internet telephony; STD tariffs may drop

TRAI allows Internet telephony; STD tariffs may drop

New Delhi (PTI): Telecom users will soon be able make calls from their
personal computers with Internet connection to a land line or a mobile
phone and vice versa, if a TRAI recommendation in this regard finds
acceptance with the government.

The suggestion by the telcom regulator, if accepted, will further
boost competition in the domestic long distance segment and may lead
to fall in STD tariff.

"It is envisaged that customers will ultimately benefit from cost
effective and innovative Internet telephony service. These
recommendations will put Indian telecom sector in tune with global
trends. The grey market tendencies shall be curtailed," TRAI said in a
statement.

As per the TRAI recommendations, the STD service providers would be
connected to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) through public Internet
for the purpose and the two service providers would have mutual
agreement for the same.

The move will permit calls from personal computers to fixed line and
mobile phones. At present, a voice call can travel between two
computers but not from a mobile or a fixed phone. This is expected to
open channels of huge revenues for ISPs.

The Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), a technical arm of Department of
Telecom, will work out the number plan for the ISPs to enable them to
offer telephone services.

"Telephone numbers from identified blocks shall be allocated to ISPs,
Unified Access Service Providers, Basic Service Providers and Cellular
Mobile Service Providers for internet telephony," TRAI said.

With a view to make Internet telephony secure, TRAI said, all ISPs
interested to provide unrestricted Internet telephony would install
"Lawful Interception" equipment.