These guidelines are the “latest” on the PUC’s website as far as guidelines on VOIP, from 2006.

The Public Utilities Commission “What’s New” Page.

Public Utilities Commission

No. 63 Regent Street Ph: 501-227 -1185
P. O. Box 300 Fax: 501-227 -1149
Belize City, Belize Web: www.puc.bz E-mail: puc@btl.net
_____________________________________________________________________
June 23, 2006

P R E S S R E L E A S E

PUC Issues VoIP Regulatory Policy and Framework Guidelines

The PUC has provided guidance on how Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is to be treated in the context of the existing policies and legislative framework with the issuance today of its working paper, “Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Regulatory Policy and Framework Guidelines”. The guidelines have been developed to move the telecommunications sector towards greater competition and choice for consumers with regard to VoIP.

The PUC determined that development of the guidelines would be more effective, expedient and prudent at this time due to the changing technological and market environment that exists in telecommunications.

The PUC guidance was presented at a briefing of the local media this afternoon, and has been circulated to stakeholders in the telecommunications sector. The paper is the result of extensive research, analysis, and consultation carried out by the PUC over the last two months. The PUC also took into account the information presented at the VoIP Public Forum held on April 26, 2006.

Main Guidance Points

1.The PUC considers VoIP communication to be a data service in the context of the Telecommunications Act and has specified which of the VoIP communication
services require licensing by the PUC. A license ensures that service
providers are subject to the provisions of the law including consumer protection,
emergency calling and universal access where appropriate, license obligations and
tax and license fees regimes.

2.Category 1 VoIP communication does not require a license. This VoIP communication is self-provided, where a software program is downloaded to run on a personal computer, and the end user is not publicly available by means of an assigned unique telephone number.

3.Categories of VoIP communication that require licensing by the PUC are:
(a)Category 2 which includes corporate private networks, and IP technologies that are used within a public telecommunications service provider’s network but which do not impact the retail services offered to end-users.
(b)Category 3 VoIP communication which is publicly available through a
service provider via an assigned telephone number.

4.Both Individual License Holders and licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can offer Category 3 VoIP communication.

5.Licensed service providers are not to include any restrictions (such as blocking or degradation) of Category 1VoIP communication to any class of customer, and Category 3 VoIP communication to other licensed service providers.

6.A licensed service provider who selectively degrades or blocks third party
Category 3 VoIP traffic on their networks to an end-user is to notify the
customer of the existence or imposition of this service limitation so that the
customer can exercise choice in service providers in this developing competitive
market.

7.Service providers who offer restricted services should also offer an alternative service that does not include restrictions as an option to customers.

8.Service providers are to ensure that the terms and conditions of the service
being provided are set out in the relevant Agreement or Customer Code in a
transparent and easily understood manner.

9.All service agreements are to be filed with the PUC.

In the paper the PUC has noted that as regulator of the sector it is required to promote reliable and affordable telecommunication services, foster increased reliance on market forces for the provision of telecommunication services, and encourage investment and innovation in the telecommunication sector. A continuous review of the VoIP issue is expected as services develop in Belize, given the rapid development pace of technology and markets. The paper should provide further clarity on the regulatory policy position of the PUC and provide the associated guidance on how VoIP communications can be incorporated into the economic and social fabric of Belize. (ENDS)

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