Internet-Telefonie ist strafbar, zumindest immer noch in Namibia (und bis zum letzten Jahr auch in Südafrika). Telekommunikation ist im südlichen Afrika immer noch ein Monopol. Telekom Namibia möchte schlicht auf die Einnahmen nicht verzichten. Aber da Südafrika VOIP inzwischen legalisiert hat dürfte es nur eine Frage der Zeit sein bis Namibia nachzieht. Hier ein Artikel aus dem Economist Namibia vom 3.9.2004 zu dem Thema:
VOIP to be made legal in SA
Telecom Namibia has drawn the attention of the local media to the fact that Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is expected to be legalised in South Africa early next year.
Voice Over IP is the communications technology that allows Internet users to communicate with any other party, in any part of the world, at the cost of a local telephone call. Because this implies a major loss of revenue for the telecommunications operator, this was outlawed in South Africa, preventing Internet Service Providers fom offering this service. But despite the law, many Internet users in South Africa and Namibia simply went ahead and installed the screen-top cameras that allow them to speak to other users, mostly through so-called chat rooms. However, quality of transmission was severely restricted and often proved to be more of a frustration than an advantage.
South African Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri announced on Thursday that as of 1 February next year, value added network service (VANS) providers will be allowed to carry voice using any protocol. For this certain changes will be made to the Telecommunications Act in that country. It is expected that Namibia will follow a similar route and that VOIP will become a standard and legal service offered by all Internet Service Providers.
“Because of technological developments, there is no longer any difference in the transmission of voice, video and data, therefore it is no longer necessary to prohibit the provision of voice by VANS,” technology website IT Web quoted the South African minister as saying.
Gruss
Ulli
