Chilean government mulls over internet telephony

The advance of internet telephony is causing waves in Chile according to the Diario Financiero newspaper.  The incumbent telco in Chile, Telefonica Chile, are dragging their heels when it comes to VoIP and blocking / impeding access to IP telephony by customers.  Haven’t we heard that one before?  Dubai and the UAE spring to mind.

Telefonica Chile have already been hit with a US $1m penalty for blocking access to free VoIP services.  Following on from this ban is today’s news of a new public consultation process setup by the Chilean Transport and Telecommunications Ministry (MTT) that will look into proper regulation of the internet telephony sector.

A report on regulating VoIP in Chile is due out from the MTT this year.  Hopefully it will include good news for Chilean consumers and VoIP providers alike.