26th January 2005

Industry unites around new VoIP trade body

ITSPA, the Internet Telephony Services Providers’ Association, elected its Council at its inaugural members’ meeting on 20th January.

Drawing together experts from UK-based companies large and small, ITSPA aims to ensure that consumers can benefit from VoIP services by promoting best practice – one of ITSPA’s first tasks is to ensure consumers’ rights are protected through the drafting of a code of practice, to which all of ITSPA’s members must adhere.

ITSPA has been created to help ensure the UK can lead the way in VoIP, both in terms of the regulatory environment, consumer protection, services, and also commercial and technical infrastructure. The UK is currently lagging behind in New Voice Services when compared with Japan, the USA, as well as other countries in the EU, notably France. ITSPA is committed to ensure this gap is bridged and the UK becomes a leading country in innovative communications services. Eli Katz, ITSPA Council Member (Xconnect), said, “this is a tough challenge, but through our organized, collective efforts, ITSPA is confident we can help the UK become the global market leader in VoIP”.

Comments from ITSPA Council Members:

Kim Thesiger, Gossiptel: “There was a clear recognition within the industry that VoIP players did not yet have a united voice in discussions with UK and EU regulators and legislators and that more needed to be done to protect consumers from some of the cowboy operators out there. ITSPA provides a democratic, universal platform that can proactively address these issues.”

Eli Katz, Xconnect: “Traditional telecoms companies need to wake up to the benefits and advantages of Voice over IP products and services for consumers. ITSPA’s members have already risen to the challenge and are committed to delivering first-class, competitive services to consumers across the UK and Europe”.

Camille de Stempel, AOL Director of Policy: "Internet telephony could bring significant benefit to consumers in terms of new services, easier communications and potential cost savings. It is important that as an industry we ensure these advances are delivered to consumers as quickly and simply as possible, and ITSPA will play a key part in this process."

Claire Robinson, Centrica: "VoIP will bring cost savings to consumers and will allow them to customise their communications to their specific needs. ITSPA is committed to working together to maximise these benefits for the consumer and to ensure they have the best possible VoIP experience".

Linus Surguy, Technical Director, Magrathea Telecom: “VoIP is a new technology that will change the way we communicate and it is important that there is a trade body, such as ITSPA, to protect the needs of the industry and consumers alike”.

Allan Howes, CEO, Bon.net: "Internet Telephony is much more than just voice communications. Indeed, it will deliver a whole new generation of services including multi-media, “presence” functions (as with Instant Messaging Services), roaming abilities, fixed/mobile convergence, personalized inbound services as well as CD quality calls. ITSPA will work with all representatives of the telecoms industry and regulatory bodies to help ensure that this industry thrives."

 

The ITSPA Council

ITSPA’s elected interim Council members, who will serve a six-month term, are as follows:

Camille de Stempel – AOL

Allan Howes – Bon.net

Claire Robinson – Centrica

Kim Thesiger – Gossiptel

Peter Gradwell – Gradwell.com

Sue Davidson - Inclarity

Linus Surguy – Magrathea Telecommunications

Eli Katz – T-Strategy

Alex Waterman – Vodat

 

 

The full press release is here

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