Revamping VoIP Regs Down Under

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced a new three-strand approach to VoIP regulation. First, the government agency has been reviewing how existing regulation applies to the services now available and will figure out what priorities are necessary. Secondly, it will "engage with industry and consumers." Third, it will put a specific compliance program into place.

As a part of the strategy, ACMA will advise VoIP providers how regulations apply to them and outline the types of services that are subject to regulation.  There's a lot of evangelism on the drawing board, including industry seminars and meeting directly with interested providers.

VoIP has (surprise!) been a gray area for Oz telecom regulation. At last count, there were 269 VoIP providers, but there were no percentage listed of those who were providing PSTN-equivalent services. If a provider is delivering and receiving calls to standard phone numbers, it is expected to comply with all the rules of a standard phone service, but the rules have not been strictly applied.  

Tightening up emergency call service access - 000 is Oz's version of 911 - and implementing enhanced 911-type services are among the priorities, with stiff penalties hinted for non-compliance moving forward.

For more:
- The VoIP News piece on ACMA VoIP Regulation
- ACMA VoIP Regulation Detail on its website.
- IT Wire's ACMA VoIP story

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