Voice over Internet Protocol, also known as
VoIP
or
IP
telephony, is basically the transport of telephone
calls over an internet connection. Until recently, it was a niche
phenomenon, but
VoIP
now has hit the mainstream
consumer and business markets, offering cheaper calls and
disrupting the dominance of the traditional communications
companies.
ITSPA
, which counts Call
UK
,
Intervivo, Mistral Internet and Telco Global among its founding
members, is keen to help customers in finding a reputable
VoIP
provider among the bewildering array of Internet
Telephony Service Providers (or
ITSP
s) in the UK. It
has therefore published a Code of Practice targeting the needs of
residential customers.
ITSPA
members complying with the Code will have the
right to display the ITSPA logo on their web site.
ITSPA
hopes that consumers will come to recognise the
logo as a badge of excellence for
VoIP
providers,
giving them the confidence to try
VoIP
services from
its members.
"This is a world first, and vital to ensure the rapid uptake by
the mass-market of this new generation of services," said Eli Katz,
XConnect and ITSPA Council member. "We believe that this is a 'Fair
CoP'; and we intend, as
ITSPA
, to act efficiently in
administering and enforcing it".
The DTI and Ofcom have
welcomed
ITSPA
's initiative. Claire Hobson, Head of
Telecoms Policy at the
DTI
, said, "
ITSPA
's launch is a good step towards putting the
interests of consumers at the forefront of the Voice-over Internet
Protocol industry. We'll certainly be working closely with the new
Association in our work to encourage the development of
VoIP
in the
UK
".
