NZ Telecom requests leniency

New Zealand Telecom wants to be let off the requirements to move 17 000 customers over to a new voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) copper service by the end of the year, reports Computerworld.

In a letter to the minister requesting the latest variation, Telecom CEO Paul Reynolds states the requirement will “place enormous strain on Telecom's systems and force Telecom and its customers to risk significant service outages, and disruption, to achieve a set of outcomes that may only delay the ship to ultra fast broadband”.

If Telecom does not meet the undertakings by specified dates it can be subject to penalties of up to $10 million, plus $500 000 each day the breach continues.

Passengers on Middle Eastern airline Emirates will soon be able to use VOIP solutions, states Telappliant.

The company has ordered 90 double-decker Airbus A380 planes; which will offer full WiFi Internet access during long-haul flights.

This means that Emirates' customers will be allowed to use IP telephony solutions to make cheap calls to friends and relatives while in the air. This project is set to go live in 2012.

VOIP operator Skype has shelved plans to charge users for 3G calling, claiming operator plans to bill by the byte make such charges redundant, says The Register.

The company's last iPhone client allows calling over a 3G data connection, but when it was released Skype warned that the capability would be restricted to those paying an additional premium to be split with the network operator.

But the latest update removes that threat, on the basis that operators are rapidly introducing tiered pricing.