Fiji's first licensed VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service provider, VoiceNetIP (Fiji) Limited, yesterday announced it would start operations in a fortnight's time.
Company director Joeli Kalou said after three years of waiting, the company given the VOIP license intend to bring maximum benefits and savings to business and the people of Fiji.
Unwired Fiji chief executive John Pollock said based on the consultations with regulators, the licence awarded to VoiceNetIP was not fair.
"Unwired Fiji has been advised that no licenses have been issued and no will be until the compensation mediation between Government and ATH (Amalgamated Telecom Holdings) resolved.
Unwired Fiji has been advised by Government we will be among the first licenses issued, said Mr Pollock
Interim Commerce Minister Taito Waradi could not be contacted last night. However, last August Mr Waradi said the State would go ahead with issuing VoIP licences to entities whose applications made the mark.
Mr Kalou said the company was issued a license last week.
VOIP allows a person to make telephone calls using a computer network, over a data network like the Internet.
VOIP converts the voice signal from the telephone into a digital signal that travels over the internet then converts it back at the other end so one could speak to anyone with a regular phone number.
Mr Kalou said the company is focused on the delivery of secure VOIP services to individuals, private, and public sectors that are looking to significantly reduce cost of their current service.
The primary focus, he said, would be to provide full service installation and 24/7 support of VOIP services in Fiji.
He said the company would employ 16 staff initially.
