The briefing was then opened for questions from the floor. There is a range of other methods that can be used which by-pass the accounting rates system, such as refile, call origination, routing traffic via satellite or via alternative providers, etc. In respect of the ban on Internet telephony in certain countries, he added that a subtle distinction needs to be made since telephony travelling over the public internet is only one subset of IP Telephony. The advantages for developing countries in not regulating IP Telephony reside in the fact that they avoid imposing technology choices on licensed operators and avoid closing off the potential for lower priced services. IP Telephony can be seen as a broader market change.
Friction arises when two different pricing traditions come together.
On questions concerning market size for IP Telephony, Dr Kelly stated that ITU s Report on Internet Telephony gives statistics on market size, with the overall figure for 2000 being 4 billion minutes of international calls with traffic foreseen to increase to 7 billion minutes in 2001. However, he added that ITU historically has been able, via its Member States and Sector Members, to work to provide training and technology transfer thanks to the unique nature of the Membership of the organization. This was particularly the case when countries were moving from analogue to digital networks. It may be easier to start from scratch than to adapt an older system. With respect to standards, Dr Kelly said that the IP Telephony standards tend to be much more market-driven than other telecoms standards.