The Jeff Pulver Blog: ... 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

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November 30, 2005

... 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

I apparently struck a nerve with my blog posting yesterday about the Israeli Government's recent activity to limit some degree and some types of international VoIP traffic. I am still sorting out truth from fiction and greatly appreciate everyone's insights, particularly those willing to visibly post to my blog.

This morning I received an email from a friend in Israel who wrote:

"Hi Jeff,

it ain't so.

ISP's were sent a letter requiring them not to sell high-speed data lines to pirate companies that terminate here on grey routes, either through bezeq or "tellulars" to the GSM network. no one was required to block voip, or filter traffic, or anything like that. I can reiterate that we are strongly committed to net freedom, that we consider it one of our most important regulatory roles to make sure that internet service providers and infrastructure providers do not filter traffic, interfere in any way with various uses, or attempt to monitor their customers use of the public internet. We also know such an attempt is doomed to failure, in addition to being morally indefensible.

There is no intention to block or filter any form of pc-to-pc voip, nor are we going to require packet sniffing against people in Israel with vonage boxes.

Additionally, there are currently more than 10,000 voip lines in Israel supplied by licensed providers under a market experiment scheme (including local numbers and officially sanctioned interconnect), and we are currently working on giving these licensed providers permanent licenses to allow them to develop further.

I hope i've cleared this up, it was a bureaucratic issue and not a policy one."

***

I don't yet understand the nuances of what Israel is prohibiting. I also am not sure whether the public outcry is overstated. I, however, am glad we are having this dialogue.

I do suspect that, if Israel has not prohibited international VoIP to the extent that would justify the industry and public backlash, I think Israel could use a better publicist.

In any case, I am not sure if this preliminary explanation directly addresses all of the concerns of the VoIP industry, particularly the concerns of the VoIP providers that interconnect with the public switched telephone network to provide international calling.

I come from the peer-to-peer world and do not want to be the one advocating for VoIP as purely an international arbitrage play, but occasionally I fall into that role in my effort to advance the what I believe is the greater good of IP-based communications innovators, entrepreneurs, users and enthusiasts.

The Ministry of Communications does seem to have prohibited "something" in an effort to preserve revenue streams for traditional international providers, so some restrictions are likely being placed on international VoIP traffic, at least by providers unaffiliated with a licensed international carrier. I still seek further insight on what Israel has prohibited and what the ramifications might be.

I, however, have some renewed hope that Israel is trying to figure out the right balance and, at least, is openly debating the issues (unlike some other countries). I would expect nothing less from the country that paved the way for IP-based communications. Let’s hope my concerns are overstated, and Israel does the right thing and continues to be a leader in advancing IP-based communications.

Posted by jeff on November 30, 2005 09:04 AM | Permalink

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Posted by: Gregory B at November 30, 2005 04:32 PM

What they claim to be stopping is the guy who gets a hign speed data line, some VoIP hardware, a bunch of incoming lines (or an ISDN PRI, called a PRA here) and overnight becomes an international calling card service provider.

User's concern was fueled by the terrible VoIP performance to the U.S. in the last month and the rumor (unsubstaniated) that one ISP who also is an international voice service provider had blocked all VoIP traffic.

The bad VoIP performance was welcomed by the ISPs. When you called to complain you were "sold up" to a faster line with a 12 month pay in advance deal.

Since I already have a fast line and understand how to read a ping and traceroute, I did not waste my money.

Geoff.

Posted by: Geoff Mendelson at November 30, 2005 12:48 PM

November 30, 2005

... 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

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