Another regional country has reacted negatively to the move by Digicel to block applications that utilize the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) on its service.
Digicel had already blocked its customers from accessing the applications in Jamaica and Haiti, before imposing the ban in Trinidad and Tobago. The services affected include popular “free calls” applications Viber, Tango and Nimbuzz.
Mr. Wilson, in an interview with the Trinidad Guardian newspaper, said Viber and Tango were described within the industry as “over-the-top” services. He said they were provided by organizations that do not have their own infrastructure and would often use those built by a service provider. He said it was unfortunate that the country’s legislation did not prevent Digicel from these maneuvers.
Following the imposition of the ban, Mr. Wilson said the TATT would engage Digicel in dialogue to better understand the reason for the block.
Digicel’s response
And, in an e-mail exchange with the Trinidad Guardian, Digicel’s Communications Manager, Penny Gomez, said unlicensed VoIP operators like Viber and Nimbuzz use networks to deliver their services, but do not pay for the access. She said the unauthorized activity puts enormous pressures on bandwidth, which means customers’ data usage experience is negatively affeccted.
Ms. Gomez said Digicel has been forced to take firm action to prevent what she described as parasitic activity. She added that VoIP services, by their nature, are network intensive and given priority in respect of delivery.
She said, while Digicel invested millions in its network and business, unlicensed VoIP reaped the benefits with no capital investment.
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T&T joins criticism of Digicel
