I had intermittant success just getting to www.vonage.com when I was in Belize late March / early April. Eventually, it would consistently let me in.
I'm not sure if this related to the Voip blocking or proxy servers. I was using a cable connection from Coral Cable on Ambergris Caye. Coral is presumably using BTL DSL (speed was a meager 130Kbps, about the same as my neighbor's BTL DSL).
Does BTL actually outlaw Voip technology on their DSL service? Is this posted somewhere on their web site?
If another service provider (in my case, Coral Cable) is providing internet service, they are presumably held to the same laws. But I wonder if their agreement specifically states that Voip is not allowed?
Our tenant put in the cable modem so we, the owners, have never seen any agreement that outlines the "rules" of how the service can be used. If we are doing something wrong or illegal, I would certainly like to know about it and I would like to see it in writing.
If BTL is in fact outlawing Voip technology, I would be happy to oblige -- and take my internet business elsewhere. But alas, there are no other cable or DSL providers because competition is sorely needed.
Read some other posts in the forum. The BTL terms of service (TOS) specifically say that voice and video are not supported (aka not allowed). I presume they aren't, but it is Coral Cable's responsibility to transfer their TOS with BTL to it's customers.
When SIP services (Vonage et al) started to be blocked, BTL took the position that they weren't doing anything. This is because:
A) The blocking technology is being beta tested and not fully implemented as policy. They need to make sure the technology can perform and be maintained adequately on an ongoing production basis.
B) BTL themselves aren't sure whether blocking Voip is a violation of any applicable laws or their own TOS.
The PUC established and maintains BTL's telecommunications monopoly in Belize. The purpose of the meeting next Wednesday is to see if the general public cares about this. BTL is hoping they can prop up some "experts", suppress crowd opinion, and eventually "outlaw" Voip and other communications services that do not specifically enrich them.
Our only hope is to have an overwhelming amount of people there showing support for open internet access. We need to speak authoritatively on the technology, legal and the ecomonic aspects of the issue.
I think the real issue is much bigger. BTL is sprucing up it's operations for the upcoming transfer of control to Ashcroft. Rumor has it BTL has taken lots of abnormal organizational steps lately. Many think Voip blocking is part of a grander plan.
Have a few questions on the matter. For one, I am a Belizean businessman who has Vonage and have been using it for my business for the past 6 months. I have BTL's DSL service and up to today, the service still works(sometimes). I am not 100% sure whether BTL is blocking it, degrading the network to frustrate us or what. My questions are as follows:
1. What is the real purpose of the PUC "Discussion" next Wednesday?
2.Is it to really hear whether Belizeans know what it is, use it, don't want restrictions placed on it by BTL?
3. Has BTL applied to the PUC for an adjustment to their license or to the telecom Act to allow them to block Voip?
4. Had BTL applied to also block Satellite Internet services in Belize and/or force users to go through BTL for this type of service?
5. Had BTL applied to also block MSN, Yahoo, AOL, Gmail, etc messeging service which just about all offer Voip solutions (PC-PC) now and eventually PC-Phone in the future?
I am unsure as to why the PUC chose to invite the business community alone to "Discuss" this topic and whether they will use this "Discussion" to say to the Belizean People that they have "HELD" consultation with the public before making their decision to allow BTL in this nonsence.
I encourage ALL businesses (expecially large businesses in Belize) in addition to technical minds in the country to come out next Wednesday and first listen, then participate and if necessary, show the PUC by voicing your opinions loudly but verbally, and in the press that allowing BTL to block this should not happen. BTL currently collects from the user to use the Internet...it should be left open for users to use this service for voice, data, video, chat etc as they please.
This VERY IMPORTANT meeting is taking place on Wednesday. If you live in Belize or just happen to be in Belize, stop by to voice your opinion. More details are found here:
The difference is Belize is a country that became independent on the principles of freedom of speech and freedom from interference with his/her correspondence. You are correct, a simple VPN solution will work, but the issue is more political rather than technical:
From the Belize Constitution:
Part 2 Section 12.-(1) Except with his own consent, a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference (whether the communication be to the public generally or to any person or class of persons) and freedom from interference with his correspondence.
The video of the 4/26/06 Public Utilites Commission Voip Meeting is being uploaded to Google Video. It is very interesting to see Belize's young democracy at work. There's only one part uploaded at the moment so keep checking back to the Belize Free Internet Consortium website for updates.
1. The PUC considers Voip communication to be a data service in the context of the Telecommunications Act and has specified which of the Voip communication services require licensing by the PUC. A license ensures that service providers are subject to the provisions of the law including consumer protection, emergency calling and universal access where appropriate, license obligations and tax and license fees regimes.
2. Category 1 Voip communication does not require a license. This Voip communication is self-provided, where a software program is downloaded to run on a personal computer, and the end user is not publicly available by means of an assigned unique telephone number.
3. Categories of Voip communication that require licensing by the PUC are:
(a) Category 2 which includes corporate private networks, and IP technologies that are used within a public telecommunications service provider’s network but which do not impact the retail services offered to end-users.
(b) Category 3 Voip communication which is publicly available through a service provider via an assigned telephone number.
4. Both Individual License Holders and licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can offer Category 3 Voip communication.
5. Licensed service providers are not to include any restrictions (such as blocking or degradation) of Category 1VoIP communication to any class of customer, and Category 3 Voip communication to other licensed service providers.
6. A licensed service provider who selectively degrades or blocks third party Category 3 Voip traffic on their networks to an end-user is to notify the customer of the existence or imposition of this service limitation so that the customer can exercise choice in service providers in this developing competitive market.
7. Service providers who offer restricted services should also offer an alternative service that does not include restrictions as an option to customers.
8. Service providers are to ensure that the terms and conditions of the service being provided are set out in the relevant Agreement or Customer Code in a transparent and easily understood manner.
9. All service agreements are to be filed with the PUC.
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