German Regulator Opens Consultation on VoIP

Germany's Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Post (RegTP) has opened a public consultation on VoIP. The national regulator is seeking public input on a whole range of issues -- business models, the classification of VoIP under regulatory aspects, numbering, access and interconnection, market definition and possible market entry barriers. The subjects of universal service, customer protection, telecommunications privacy, data protection, emergency services, technical safeguards, the implementation of intercepts and directory enquiry procedures, which may entail obligations for VoIP service providers, are addressed under the heading of consumer protection and public interest. RegTP will formulate its initial position on the regulatory classification of VoIP in light of the comments received. Comments are invited by 18-June-2004 (in German only). http://www.regtp.de/en/aktuelles/start/fs_03.html