Voice over IP. The TSTT Experience. Ronald Lessey 1

Transcription

1 Voice over IP The TSTT Experience 1

2 Agenda The Trinidad and Tobago Landscape Revenue Issues. International Traffic Methods employed to determine illegal traffic. What type of operations are typically involved. Some methods employed in dealing with illegal traffic. Typical VoIP Scenarios Possible VoIP strategy going forward 2

3 The Trinidad and Tobago Landscape Monopoly Telephony provider TSTT Un-regulated data services New telecommunications act passed 2001 to allow for competition 5 Indigenous ISP s on the island Estimated 70K Internet dial-up users locally Relatively constant growth rate for new dial-up customers 3

4 The Trinidad and Tobago Landscape 8% 1% 9% Percentage of users by Age 15% 16% 9% 12% 12% 18% <10yrs 10-14yrs 15-19yrs 20-24yrs 25-29yrs 30-39yrs 40-49yrs 50 and over Not Stated 4

5 The Trinidad and Tobago Landscape Percentage of Users by Education 24% 15% 11% Primary Secondary Technical University 50% 5

6 Revenue Issues Current estimated potential leakage of US$400K / month (US$4.8M per annum). Estimated losses for the 2002/03 financial year of US$4M. 6

7 International Traffic Relatively normal traffic growth. No perceptible or easily associated movement of traffic to VoIP. International call termination rates are comparable between VoIP routes and traditional routes through teir-1 1 and trir-2 carriers (~US$0.10) 7

8 International Traffic Volumes 8,000,000 7,800,000 7,600,000 7,400,000 Minutes 7,200,000 7,000,000 6,800,000 6,600,000 6,400,000 6,200,000 6,000,000 Apr il May J une J uly Augus t September October November December J anuar y Febr uar y Mar ch Apr il May J une Month 02 to to 02 8

9 What methods are employed to determine illegal traffic Uncharacteristic number of calls originated or terminated in comparison to the line of business Uncharacteristically large number of short duration calls Covert advertising and direct approaches to business 9

10 What type of operations are typically involved Internet service providers Large corporate entities with International Private Leased and voice lines. Call center operators Small business operators (5 to 10 lines) 10

11 Some methods employed in dealing with illegal traffic Identification! Inspection of stated business operations and a match to the time and volume of calls originated and terminated on the network Confirmation! Use of (legal) options to inspect the call content! Opportunity created by service contracts to inspect provider equipment. 11

12 Some methods employed in Actions dealing with illegal traffic! Self Help / technical actions Blocking of specific Internet/IP ports that are typically used to t facilitate VoIP Removal of service from offending providers (for breach of service contract)! Legal avenues - litigation There are existing and pending cases regionally that provide a basis in law for actions in breach of the operating (telecommunications) licenses! Service limiting actions Imposition of funnel treatment on offending lines. 12

13 Typical VoIP Scenarios Net2Phone Calling card Service Trinidad Douglas Ames Equipment TSTT (International Voice Traffic Exchange) PSTN Data (IP) VoIP Gateway Exchange United States Internet International PSTN Traffic Net2Phone Equipment Data (IP) VoIP Gateway PSTN AT&T (or other International voice carrier) Exchange 13

14 Modem Bank Typical VoIP Scenarios Net2Phone YapJack Trinidad ISP TSTT (International Voice Traffic Exchange) PSTN Modem Bank Exchange Data (IP) YapJack United States Internet International PSTN Traffic Net2Phone Equipment Data (IP) VoIP Gateway PSTN AT&T (or other International voice carrier) Data (IP) Exchange YapJack 14

15 Possible VoIP strategy going forward VoIP needs to be tackled on several fronts at the same time: 1. Creation or lobbying for a legal environment that is properly structured to encourage competition 2. Creation of (cheaper) service alternatives for customers to choose from 3. Aggressive protection of your rights offered by the current operating license 4. Creation of (exclusive) service provider alliances that would serve to protect your environment. 15

16 Thank You 16