"Broadband voice services are a new and emerging market. Our first task as regulator is to keep out of the way," said Ofcom's Chief Executive, Stephen Carter.
"As the market develops, we will ensure that consumers are appropriately informed and protected," he added.
Internet telephony is the ability to make voice calls over any internet connection, particularly broadband, using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Internet Telephony Service Providers can provide regular and enhanced phone line services, at reduced cost, with calls to other internet phones often free of charge.
The new voice services also offer consumers the prospect of sophisticated call handling and messaging, multi-party conference calls and video calls.
Although VoIP has existed as a technology for much of the last 10 years, the mass market for broadband connections and the emergence of new telephony-enabling protocols such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), have revolutionised the sector. Microsoft, Cisco and many leading technology companies have now built SIP into their latest products. Indeed, any Windows XP computer can place Internet Telephony calls 'out of the box'.
Stressing its intention to support the developing market, Ofcom announced today that its approach would minimise the regulatory burden on new voice services whilst ensuring that providers benefit from fair and effective competition in the infrastructure markets upon which they will depend.
To this end Ofcom has now set out the telephone numbering available for new voice services, allowing providers to either:
The regulator has also published a consumer guide to the new services, and launched a public consultation as to the appropriate level of regulation and consumer protection measures that should apply to the services.
In particular the consultation looks at the access of IP telephony users to essential services such as 999. At present, traditional fixed-line telephony services have to comply with regulatory conditions that force a near guaranteed access to these services, but there is a question over whether such conditions would be appropriate for all internet-based voice services.
Similar consultations and debate in the US have been controversial. The Senate is due to debate the draft VoIP Regulatory Freedom Act shortly, after Republican Senator John Sununu, was forced to strengthen regulatory aspects of the bill.
If passed, the bill will allow US states to force VoIP companies to provide emergency 911 services, to contribute to the funding of low income or rural-based subscribers, through what are known as universal service fees, and to pay intra-state access charges.
The Ofcom consultation is due to end on 15th November.