Telco group to meet NTC on new VOIP, 3G rules

By Alexander Villafania, INQ7.net


THE PHILIPPINE Electronics and Telecommunications Federation (PETEF) is set to meet the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Tuesday to discuss the effects of the regulatory body’s latest ruling on voice-over IP (VOIP), 3G, and broadband wireless access (BWA).

PETEF said in a recently released statement that it is meeting the NTC in Fort Bonifacio to discuss the new rulings as well as how PETEF members would pursue their business with the new rulings.

The group responded to the three new rulings of NTC on VOIP, 3G, and broadband wireless access. The NTC has defined VOIP as a value-added service, a term that the major telecommunications carriers -- incidentally, all members of PETEF -- have argued against.

The NTC has also identified several cellular frequencies for 3G on mobile telecommunications. The 3G ruling specifies the cost for using any of the identified 3G frequencies.

The ruling on the BWA also specified several radio frequencies to be used for wireless Internet, which is expected to pave the way for more powerful wireless access through Wi-fi (wireless fidelity) and the upcoming WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) standard.

Among those attending the public meeting are PETEF Directors Nestor Virata and Albert Velasco, NTC Deputy Commissioner Jorge Sarmiento, and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company Vice-President George Lim.

The agenda calls for the reasons for the NTC’s release of the new rulings, procedures for the migration of telecommunications carriers from traditional infrastructure to Internet protocol, and convergence issues.

PETEF is the umbrella organization of various industry associations, corporations, and individuals involved in electronics, telecommunications, information and communications technology, cable, and broadcasting.

Its members include, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, BayanTel, Digitel, the Electronics Industry Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Cable Television Association, among others.

 

 

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