Google tests number porting

Google has begun testing number porting for Google Voice users; however, the voice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP) service is already available to some Beta users, reports Fierce VOIP.

A user can port their current cellphone or landline number to Google and then get a new number from their carrier. They can then receive all their calls to their preferred number and have Google Voice forward calls, access visual voicemails and do call transcriptions.

The move is expected to make it easier for Google Voice to go mainstream, as users could adopt the service seamlessly without changing their VOIP number.

The Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) is set to provide licenses to more firms to operate VOIP services, states The Himalayan Times.

“We are mulling to issue licenses to Internet service providers if their service has expanded to at least 25 districts, covering 1 300 Village Development Committees,” says Bhesh Raj Kanel, NTA chairman.

NTA has licensed four telephone service providers: Nepal Telecom, United Telecom, Spice Nepal and STM Telecom to operate VOIP calls.

Verizon has signed a traffic termination deal between Bandwidth.com, says Connected Planet.

Some VOIP providers have argued that they are not required to pay terminating access charges because VOIP is an information service, rather than a communications service.

“For too long, uncertainty over what charges apply to VOIP traffic has served as a wall to the innovations customers want and the lower prices they need,” says Bandwidth.com President John Murdock. “We are delighted to be working with Verizon in reaching a commercial deal that hopefully will serve as a path for the industry and service providers to move forward and better serve customers.”