VoIP Regulation in Latin America

Abstract:     
Voice over IP (VoIP) is a disruptive technology that can be considered a menace to current circuit-switched telephone operators. This paper studies the regulation that affects VoIP technology in Latin America, in particular in Chile and Mexico, countries that have different Telecommunications Regulatory frameworks in the region. In order to carry out the analysis, the "motibility" framework developed by Anthony, Roth and Christensen was applied. In both countries studied it was found out that incumbent operators do not have the motivation to deploy VoIP services because they are already offering voice service by means of their deployed circuit-switched telephone networks. However, with the elaboration of a public VoIP regulation draft that addresses a few of the technical characteristics of the VoIP technology, the regulating organism in Chile is trying to promote the use of the VoIP technology. The paper mentions a few regulatory recommendations that could be helpful to motivate operators to deploy this technology.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 18

Keywords: VoIP, Regulation, Latin America

JEL Classification: L50, L96, O54

working papers series