Bob;
I am curious how Japan does this, but the island size and
density makes the whole argument different to some extent. So,
how's it work under the wise rule of NHK/MTT ???
That'd be MPHPT at http://www.soumu.go.jp/
Though cabinet set a wise strategy, MPHPT has no idea on what
is the Internet telephony and making stupid actions. However,
as the actions are so delayed and are not so actively against
the cabinet strategy that they are not so harmful.
The uptake in VOIP in Japan has been driven by the success of cheap/fast
broadband (see http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/newslog/2003/07/21.html#a72
Progress of the Internet telephony in Japan is by private
ISPs, which are convinced that free long distance telephony
(with additional charged (but inexpensive) service for PSTN
gatewaying) is the most powerful sales promotion tool of
their service.
Many countries have moved beyond the regulatory debates that
characterize the US very-much sector-specific regulatory framework.
There are a number of indications the landscape is changing rapidly in
the US too (see
http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/newslog/categories/voip/2003/08/22.html#a159)
Too bad. They are still talking about "voice".
No one can regulate individuals use VoIP over the Internet without
central authority similar to NAPSTAR.
The basic problem of US regulation is not that they don't regulate
VoIP but that their model on universal access charge is not
economically feasible.
Universal access charge is to help people in sparsely populate
area.
So, the charge should be paid by regional providers in densely
polulated area (regardless of whether the providers provide PSTN,
TV or the Internet service).
Can't ITU-T perform some study to let USG recognize its fault?
Masataka Ohta