Volume II

Issue : 20: October 20, 2004

• VoIP Battle Intensifies in Hong Kong
• New York Court Refuses to Enforce Forum Selection Clause in Website Agreement
• U.S. Supreme Court Confirms ISPs Not Bound to Identify Music Sharing Subscribers
• ISPs Ordered to Divulge Names of British File Swappers
• Privacy Concerns Raised over FDAs Approval of Medical Data Chip
• First State Case under U.S. Federal Can-Spam Act Settles
• 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Internet Fraud Damages

Home > Volume II > Issue 20: October 20, 2004 > VoIP Battle Intensifies in Hong Kong

VoIP Battle Intensifies in Hong Kong

A recent report indicates that the ongoing dispute in Hong Kong over Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) between PCCW, Hong Kong's dominant fixed-line operator, and the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA), the Special Administrative Region's telecom regulator, heated up recently when PCCW commenced judicial review proceedings challenging the OFTA's decision to allow rival Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN) to provide Internet telephony services over PCCW's network.

PCCW is claiming that VoIP providers are getting a free ride on its network since they do not pay for network usage, and that HKBN's service is unlawful and violates the terms of HKBN's fixed telecommunications network services license. The OFTA has indicated that it intends to adopt a pro-competitive approach to VoIP and will begin developing regulations governing Internet-based telephony by the end of the year.

For more information, visit:

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/thestandard/news_detail_frame.cfm?articleid=51430&intcatid=1