Views from the telecommunications industry are being sought on the regulation of Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony which offers voice, fax, data and multimedia services using IP technology.

Some local fixed network operators have recently offered IP Telephony services which allow customers to make telephone calls over a broadband Internet connection instead of the traditional telephone line.

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority wants to solicit views and comments on various issues, particularly on whether the existing regulatory requirements for traditional voice telephony services should be applied to the new services.

It also seeks views on whether service providers, such as Internet Service Providers, should be allowed to operate IP Telephony services, and if so, the type of licence to be used.

The office said IP Telephony or any new IP-based services will bring new business opportunities to the industry and give consumers more choice of innovative multimedia features.

Minimum level of regulation should be applied

The office said the minimum and proportionate level of regulation should be applied to IP Telephony, subject to preserving the achievement of certain social objectives.

The 'technology neutrality' principle should be upheld, it said, adding that regulation should not obstruct the adoption of new technologies. The choice of, and pace of migration to, the services based on the IP technology, should be left to consumers and the market.

While the office advocates the minimum level of regulation on IP Telephony, it may be necessary for IP Telephony services that are intended to be used as substitutes to the conventional public telephone services to meet certain minimum conditions (such as number portability) to protect public interest and avoid consumer confusion.

Consultation deadline December 4

The consultation paper can be downloaded from the office's website. Any views or comments should reach the office on or before December 4. Electronic submission to iptelephony@ofta.gov.hk is welcome.