Technological innovations are continuing to make Internet telephony functionally closer to dial up telephone service. For example, it is now possible to access Internet telephony services using an ordinary telephone handset. As VoIP becomes more similar to conventional telephony, VoIP providers compete more directly with incumbent telecommunications operators.
National legislatures and regulators will eventually have to decide what aspects of conventional telephony regulation should apply to VoIP service. Once a significant volume of telephone traffic is carried over Internet networks, the differences between VoIP and conventional traffic will have implications for universal service arrangements, telephone number management, public safety, and national security. For example, VoIP services are not available on a public, ubiquitous basis. In addition, they are generally unable to provide access to emergency service, or give location information in case of emergency.
This section reviews:
RELATED INFORMATION
About the Internet
About VoIP
Arbitrage Opportunities in the ICT Sector
Interconnection
Interconnection Pricing for VoIP
VoIP Over Wireless Networks
Legislative Approach
ITU Regulatory News: VoIP
Module 7, section 4.4, "Hot Topics: VoIP"
Module 7, "Technology Trends: VoIP"