VOIP Conference to unpack telecoms deregulation

The liberalisation, which comes into effect in February 2005, licenses value added network service providers (VANS) to carry voice traffic over the internet. Until now they've been restricted to carrying data.

The conference will provide a forum for experts in the industry to share information about the opportunities that will become available after deregulation, the reduction in costs the introduction of VOIP should bring and what it will mean for infrastructure investment in contact centres.

A VANS panel discussion will include major international vendors planning to offer VOIP, namely Gateway Communications, Telkom, Internet Solutions, BT, T-Systems and UUNET. These participants, who are also sponsoring the event, will discuss issues such as the provision of offshore connectivity and what communications technologies will be available to the industry.

Karel Botha, Spescom's regional manager (Western Cape), says the expected deregulation will result in greater competition due to a wider choice of service providers, which should drive prices down. "In terms of technology, there will be much greater choice. Today, international connectivity from South Africa is limited to TDM interface [Time Division Multiplex], which has restrictions on what you can do. With deregulation, the choice opens up to include voiceover IP which can be run on Internet protocols," says Botha.

As one of the major call centre technology solution and service providers in South Africa, Spescom's challenge will be to provide a link between call centres with more technical options.

Angus MacRobert, CEO of Internet Solutions, says: "IS welcomes the Minister's deregulation announcements and is an enthusiastic supporter of providing the call centre industry with the infrastructure and services it requires."

As from February, the playing field is more even and the benefits to both the industry and the country should be significant. We believe that call centre operators will now be able to attract global players to establish their customer centres in South Africa and thus create substantial job opportunities and a world-class service. IS intends to play a major role in the provision of these services."