Editor’s Note: This practice note is based on the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Notice of intention to issue guidelines on Voice over Internet Protocol and International Access /Gateway
On 11 February 2005, the Nigerian Communications Commission announced its proposed approach to regulating Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP). This followed a consultative process that included an industry consultative workshop and work by an industry study group on VoIP and its impact on international access and international gateways.The Commission announced the following guidelines for its regulatory treatment of VoIP:
- VoIP is a technology that enables the provision of voice telephony services and is not in itself a distinct service,
- The Commission is empowered to, and should continue to, regulate services rather than technology. This allows industry practitioners to decide which technology to employ to provide the services they are authorized to provide,
- Accordingly, the Commission will not restrict the deployment of VoIP in Nigeria. However, the applicable equipment will need the necessary type-approval by the Commission.