Retail Tariffs :QoS sensitive pricing for IP based services Nepal Telecommunications Authority

Operators view on NGN Charging is to be based on capacity and QoS rather than well established practice of charging by time and distance (miles and minutes) Telecom operators are becoming media companies and vice versa. Killer application is VoIP in NGN. Feedback from industry suggest that many operators would like clarity on IP telephony as a first step on offering clarity on NGN policy. Technical specifications of NGN should be specified by NGN for cost effective implementation of NGN by all the operators. Common transition time schedule should be specified. Technology neutrality is to be extended to NGN as well.

IP telephony in Nepal IP telephony –the transmission of voice signals over packet switched IP based Network –Divided into two categories Internet Telephony Voice over IP (VoIP)

Internet Telephony the transmission of quasi real-time voice signal using unmanaged normal internet i.e. public internet. The scope of this service includes: –PC-to PC voice (Both within the country and abroad) –Pc-to Phone (PC in Nepal and to phone abroad) –IP based H.323/SIP terminals in Nepal to similar terminals both Nepal and abroad, employing IP addressing scheme of Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are permitted to offer Internet Telephony service. But they are not allowed to terminate or originate any voice call interconnecting with PSTN/PLMN and ISDN.

Voice over IP (VoIP) the transmission of real-time voice signal using managed IP- based network achieving QoS equivalent to PSTN toll quality. Taking a technology neutral approach, in line with the New Telecommunications Policy 2004, the existing PSTN/PLMN/ISDN operators who have the license to operate NLD (National long Distance) and ILD (International long Distance) service are permitted VoIP as technology option in their network for various types of bearer services subject to meeting the quality of service norms specified by the NTA from time to time. NTA has defined the QoS benchmark for VoIP based ILD services for the time being. The parameters are MOS or R- value, One way End to –End delay, GoS, Packet Loss, Packet Jitter,CCS7 signaling delay.

Retail Tariff of Internet Telephony (Amount in USD per minutes) CountriesAmount (excluding Govt.Tax) India0.01 to 0.04 Canada,USAO.01 to 27 China, Singapore, Hongkong,& Thailand0.01 to 0.09 Malaysia, Baharain & South Korea0.02 to 0.08 Taiwan, Pakistan,& Bangladesh0.01 to 0.12 Srilanka,Japan,Russia,& Kuwait0.03 to 0.11 Saudi Arabia0.03 to 0.19

Retail Tariff of Voice over IP using VOIP Gateway (Amount in USD per minutes excluding Govt. tax) Countries\Operators Nepal Telecom United Telecom India Canada, USA 0.05 China, Singapore, Hongkong & Thailand Malaysia, Bahrain & South Korea 0.08 Taiwan, Pakistan & Bangladesh 0.11 Sri Lanka, Japan, Russia & Kuwait 0.13 Saudi Arabia 0.27

Quality of Services benchmark for VOIP based ILD service ParametersFor Toll qualityFor below Toll Quality 1.MOS Or, R-value 4 (w/o satellite and link 3.5 (with satellite link) 80(w/o satellite link) And 70(with satellite link) < 4 (w/o satellite link) and > 3.5 (with satellite link) < 80(w/o satellite link) And < 70(with satellite link) 2.One way End-to-End delay 150 ms (w/o satellite link) And 400 ms (with satellite link) > 150 ms (w/o satellite link) > 400 ms (with satellite link) 3.GoS< 2% 4.Packet Loss< 0.1%< 2% 5.Packet Jitter< 5 ms< 10 ms 6.CCS7 signaling delayTo confirm with Q.709