India VoIP Links and Resource

VoIP calling is still fairly tightly regulated in India. As a result, options for making VoIP calls to India are relatively more limited than they are for calling many other parts of the world.

In addition, per minute rates for inbound VoIP calls to India are also somewhat higher than they are to other parts of the world. Although good cheap rates are available in certain plans, see especially Pingo, FreeCallPlanet, and Lingo, you can't assume all VoIP plans will be a good deal.

As well, outbound VoIP calling from India to other countries is also fairly limited - there are relatively few commercial services yet available on the market. However, recent changes in regulatory policy will likely soon stimulate companies to introduce new VoIP calling options for Indian residents.

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India VoIP Links & Resources

The following are a series of articles and other sources covering VoIP regulation and practice in India.

Regulators & Trade Groups

News Organizations

  • Regulatory Dilemma Over VoIP - Economic Times article recapping decision by DOT (Department of Telecommunications) to send VoIP policy framework back to TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) for further consideration. Date: 3 Mar 2009.
  • Regulators Block 39 Foreign VoIP Providers - Business Line article reporting that India ISPs have been ordered to block 39 foreign VoIP providers from operating in the country. Date: 22 Feb 2009.
  • Government Delays VoIP Ruling - Times of India article about how the DOT has declined to implement TRAI's August 2008 recommendations (see TRAI link above) and has instead directed the VoIP policy be further reviewed, especially regarding leveling of tariffs between carriers and ISPs. Date: 20 Feb 2009.
  • Jaxtr India Numbers Shutdown (Illegal Usage) - Pluggd.in republishes a letter from Jaxtr to customers indicating that the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) has shutdown Jaxtr's virtual local numbers in India. These numbers were set up in mid-2008. Date: 29 Jan 2009.
  • Special: A Chequered History for VoIP in India - CIOL, a leading IT news organization, offers an informative perspective on VoIP policies and practices in India. Their main point is that uneven and restrictive policies have created market confusion, both for companies and consumers, and has delayed the widespread adoption of VoIP. Date: 7 Nov 2008. (Related story: DoT has destroyed VoIP in India. Date: 5 Sep 2008.)
  • Indian VoIP Market Ripe for Growth - Article from biz-news.com indicating that VoIP minutes and equipment market are growing fast. We believe this is mostly referring to the market for business VoIP. Date: 5 Nov 2008.
  • Indian Government to Ban VoIP - Visitor posting and follow-up comments about India VoIP policy on VoIPuser.com. Date: Dec 2006 - Jan 2007.

Other Sources

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