Telecommunications provider Digicel has indicated that it will be directly engaging the providers of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services, to seek solutions to the problems they’re facing.
Both Digicel and LIME have stated their opposition to the use of certain VOIP applications on their networks, with Digicel already blocking some applications.
However there has been criticism of the move.
The fear is that it could have an adverse effect on Jamaica trying to encourage greater use of ICT for economic development.
Additionally there may be issues with the rights of consumers who have paid for access to mobile and data networks to use applications.
But Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at Digicel, Gail Moss-Solomon, says discussions have already begun.
“We are in active negotiations with these providers and we are hoping that we can come to some solution that will make everyone happy. But we think it would a retrograde step for us to have our customers either paying to receive these calls or for them to be paying higher data charges. So we are going to route first of going to these unlicensed operators to say come, let’s sit at the table and talk about how we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement” she said.
Meanwhile, arrangements are also being made for a meeting between the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and the parties, to find solutions.
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Digicel to meet with VOIP providers
