Generally speaking, market parties all agree that regulation should foster the emergence of new services as opposed to bringing ephemeral price cuts. Concerns over regulation are also freely expressed. The key factors which will determine whether Voice over IP is to replace the Plain Old Telephone Service are the development of high-speed Internet access and the perspective of data and switched network interconnection. Numbering and directories Most actors would welcome a numbering allocation for Voice over IP services within the national numbering plan. The E.164 numbering plan must underpin any credible initiative.
Number portability is absolutely essential.
Interconnection, interfaces The cooperative Internet model based on peering agreements has been taken as far as it can go. The consensus seems to be that the public would now be better served by a data interconnection offer. Respondents stressed the link between service quality and interconnection. Interconnection agreements should be extended to include data networks and services, while the interconnection rules should include a quality commitment by the networks transited. The various quality criteria also impact on the choice of interconnection protocol.