Digicel heeding TATT request to suspend VoIP app blocking plan

Following a request from the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), Digicel Trinidad & Tobago has apparently suspended plans to block voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) applications such as Google Talk, Viber, Tango, Nimbuzz and FaceTime on its mobile network. After TATT announced it was investigating consumer complaints of VoIP blocking by Digicel, the operator on Wednesday informed customers via its Facebook page that it was ‘pleased to resume all VoIP based products while TATT is engaged in investigating the negative impact of unlicensed providers and the adverse impact they have on infrastructure based investment in Trinidad and Tobago,’ the Miami Herald reported. The Digicel Group has recently blocked such applications on its mobile networks in Haiti, Jamaica and other Caribbean markets, complaining it does not get a fair return from the usage of over-the-top (OTT) applications, while it has also said that discussions with the VoIP providers are ongoing.