« Yesterday really was a “Cyber Monday” in the USA: | Main | ... and maybe it ain't so (or maybe it ain't quite as so as I might have thought it was) -- Some Follow-up on Israel's Recently Announced VoIP Restrictions »
November 30, 2005
Say It Ain't So - Israel to Prohibit International VoIP?!
Apparently the Israeli Ministry of Communications has instructed ISPs to ensure that their systems do not carry international calls using IP technology, because such services cut into the traditional revenue streams of Israel's sanctioned international phone companies. Israel?
Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Israel spearhead much of the VoIP industry in the early days? Didn't I just go to Israel six months ago to pay homage to the pioneers of the VoIP Industry? Didn't I also meet with several Israeli Cabinet Ministers about ensuring Israel's ongoing role in advanced Internet-based communications? Aren't I planning to host VON Israel specifically because of the innovative, entrepreneurial, enterprising and forward-looking approach to communications and the Internet emanating from Israel?
And, didn't I just blog last week about how America seems to have flipped roles with Australia in leading the way to advance IP-based communications?
Is Israel -- the one country I thought we could count on to be a haven for IP-based communications -- flip-flopping? Is Israel following America's lead in turning its back on the burgeoning industry in order to preserve existing, but now illogical, revenue streams? I thought that the Israelis, if anyone, would know that disruption is inevitable and should not be stifled, but, rather, should harnessed and nurtured to advance the best possible future.
I call out to my respected friends and colleagues in Israel to tell us what is going on - but you better send an email, or call me the old-fashioned way at $1.00/minute and without any of the other bells and whistles that IP technology would otherwise enable. ;-(
Tags: voip, fcc, Israel , policy
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Posted by jeff on November 30, 2005 12:13 AM | Permalink
Additional resources: Internet TV Online Guide @ Network2.tv | Voice on the Net Conference | Video on the Net Conference
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Posted by: Anthony Kwame at November 23, 2007 03:21 PM
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Posted by: ramy at December 15, 2005 01:32 PM
The Ministry of (the lack of) Communications. Israel 2005.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 30, 2005 02:51 PM
Please don't take this seriously. This happens once in a while and is strictly based on ignorance and political buck passing. The ISPs are being asked to do something that can't be done and won't be done.
Provided proudly by the Ministry of Miscommunications.
We quoted your post and hope to make a dent.
Posted by: Eyal at November 30, 2005 05:20 AM
This is really strange. Israel has one of the cheapest international calls in the world through licensed carriers (more like $0.10/min to the US).
I think what they are trying to fight is the private enterprises that sell very cheap caling cards to a specific population (like thai or romanian foreigners) with improvised termination in a specific country. Why? Don't know.
I hope termination service providers will start offering encrypted termination so the ISPs won't be able to filter them out. Not just for Israel, for other countries with idiotic policies like these.
-- Arik
Posted by: Arik at November 30, 2005 03:26 AM
From the Jerusalem Post:
"We are calling internet companies to adhere to the terms of their licenses and make sure their systems are not being abused by non-licensed parties for the usage of VoIP. This is not directed against Skype and other VoIP companies but to clamp down on private individuals and private communications businesses who illegally use VoIP technology for selling international phone cards", said the spokesperson at the ministry.
How do they tell if you are using SIP for personal use or for selling it?
Does this mean that they are forcing us to use SkypeOut?
Geoff.
Posted by: Geoff Mendelson at November 30, 2005 02:44 AM
Could this have anything to do with the difficulty of 'wire-tapping' VoIP?
Posted by: Tim Poulus at November 30, 2005 02:42 AM
I wonder if Netvision (the largest ISP in Israel) will comply. They sell a service called "Globy" which is Vonage with local support (and taxes).
Geoff.
Posted by: Geoff Mendelson at November 30, 2005 02:30 AM