Ringo, a VoIP app which lets users make low-cost calls across landlines and mobiles using WiFi or carrier data (2G/3G) has alleged that top three telcos in the country including Airtel, Vodafone, Idea have been derailing its plans to launch Internet Telephony in the country. Ringo via its group company VMobi claims to have obtained Access Service license under Unified License regime for the Mumbai circle from the Department of Telecom (DoT), with plans to obtain licenses in more circles. It got National Long Distance Operator (NLDO), and International Long Distance Operator (ILDO) in February 2016. Ringo plans to makes use of the Internet to allow a user to make calls to anywhere in the country over regular Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) lines and cellular networks. However, telecom providers have made attempts to restrict the launch of such services by refusing to provide VMobi with a fair, non-discriminatory interconnection agreement, the company said in a statement. “In spite of having been permitted (to launch Internet telephony) since 2008, the Indian consumer has not been able to enjoy the benefits of Internet Telephony because Telecom players like Vodafone, Airtel and Idea have neither launched Internet Telephony, nor permitted other operators to launch the same. By failing to provide us with a non-discriminatory Interconnection agreement, or with the mandatory points of interconnect, these companies are making it incredibly difficult for us to do business, said Bhavin Turakhia, Founder and CEO of Ringo. ‘Telcos made repeated attempts to restrict our services’: Ringo…
