Policy concerning IP-based telephony vis-à-vis a number of concrete substantive issues - PTS-ER-2006:39
21/09/2006
In this policy document the National Post and Telecom Agency (PTS) formulates a number of positions adopted concerning IP-based telephony vis-à-vis a number of concrete substantive issues. The positions adopted by PTS are summarised below and are amplified on in the respective section of the document.
Information for end-users
It is very important that end-users receive clear information about the differences involved when using IP-based telephony compared with ‛traditional’ circuit-switched telephony. Service providers have a great responsibility to provide end-users with this information. PTS will work to ensure that service providers inform end-users in particular about any potential limitations in the services that they offer, for instance as regards emergency calls and electricity supply.
Emergency calls
Emergency calls constitute a fundamental function for society and its citizens. One of the goals of PTS is that communications services that are important as regards the possibility of end-users to contact the emergency services (SOS) centres should provide this possibility. The possibility of being able to make an emergency call is considered on the whole to be more important than the call being routed to the geographically correct emergency services (SOS) centre. However, solutions whereby emergency calls are connected as seldom as possible to the geographically wrong emergency services (SOS) centre should be encouraged.
Numbering plan for telephony
It is important that the different service providers have similar competitive conditions. Therefore, PTS intends to assign geographical numbers also to the service providers of IP-based telephony.
Electricity supply
There is no general obligation for service providers or providers of communications networks to provide an electricity supply to the end-user's terminal equipment, regardless of the technology. However, PTS intends to continue to work to ensure that electricity supply within the communications networks is as extensive and robust as possible.
Notification obligation
IP-based telephony is subject to a notification obligation in those cases where the transfer of the call is implemented in a communications network where the terminal equipment is identified by a telephone number. IP-based telephony is not subject to a notification obligation in those cases where the service only uses the public Internet for the transmission of calls and where the service provider does not control any part of the transfer.