Regulatory approach to VoIP services unveiled

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has announced a new approach to dealing with the regulation of VoIP services.

"VoIP services have been of interest to ACMA for some time, but the market has continued to grow and to evolve with a considerable diversity in the way these services are provided. This has, in turn, led ACMA to consider the implications for the way we think about applying regulation to them," said Chris Cheah, acting ACMA chairman.

"ACMA’s new approach to applying current regulation to VoIP aims to strike a balance between effectively applying regulation while continuing to enable innovation and providing greater clarity to industry around service provider obligations."

ACMA is proposing to adopt a three-strand approach to VoIP. First, the company has been reviewing how existing regulation applies to the kinds of services that are now available and to consider the priorities. Second, the company will be engaging with industry and consumers. Third, ACMA will be putting in place a specific compliance program.

To give practical effect to its new approach, the company has developed a VoIP engagement strategy, which aims to provide information to assist an understanding of the regulatory framework and ACMA’s approach.

The strategy also intends to inform VoIP carriage service providers on how the suite of regulations applies to them and to outline the types of VoIP services that are subject to regulation.

"Raising awareness and educating parties about their regulatory obligations is an integral part of ACMA’s compliance activities. ACMA welcomes the opportunity to work directly with the VoIP industry and aims to do this by conducting industry seminars and meeting directly with interested service providers," Cheah said.

Initial industry seminars are being arranged for Sydney (8 May) and Melbourne (date to be advised).

For more information, visit ACMA.