ITWeb
(Johannesburg)
December 7, 2004
Rodney Weidemann
Johannesburg
The first African forum on voice over IP (VOIP) technology is
set for later this month, with one of its chief aims being to
establish an Africa-wide VOIP Association.
According to Sean Moroney, chairman of event organiser AITEC,
the first African VOIP Forum will take place at the Hilton
Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, on 14 and 15 December.
"Kenya, like SA, has recently introduced a new regulatory
regime to liberate the positive forces of VOIP technology,
which is why we feel that Nairobi is the ideal venue to gather
Africa's ICT community to learn more about this trend," he
says.
"We are being supported in this endeavour by the local
regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) and
the conference theme is the development and business
imperatives of IP telephony."
He
says that among other issues, the forum will look at how this
technology can substantially cut an organisation's phone
bills; how to operate effective VOIP services; how to clearly
understand recent regulatory changes; and how to capitalise on
the cost-effectiveness of VOIP to make calls affordable for
low-income groups, particularly those in rural areas.
"One of the proposed outcomes of this forum will be the
founding of an African VOIP Association, to provide a
structure for regular exchange of information among operators,
ISPs and regulators in this specialised area," says Moroney.
Over a dozen international experts, as well as their local
counterparts, will speak at the conference, including Sammy
Kirui, director-general of the CCK, who will use the
opportunity to clarify the new VOIP regulations in Kenya.
"By sharing knowledge, experience and ideas from throughout
the continent and internationally, the pace can be
accelerated, mistakes avoided and service excellence
achieved," says Moroney.
He
says the event will also include an exhibition focusing on
VOIP equipment, solutions and services.
