Voice in the wilderness

06 November 2007

The communications watchdogs have refused to step in to help Voice Over IP (VoIP) users who want to keep their phone number when switching service providers. It appears some providers are exploiting a loophole in the industry's self-regulated code that requires them to "port" numbers on request.

Small businessman Justin Avery recently approached the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman after he struggled to find a service provider who would port his number. Mr Avery says he sensed an effective restraint of trade.

But the ombudsman just told him to call the government regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority. And ACMA told him it was hoping VoIP service providers could "sort the matter out among themselves".