The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched an ad campaign to inform consumers of the potential pitfalls of residential VoIP services.
The regulatory body announced that it would take out online ads in the websites of the major metropolitan dailies to caution consumers about the use of out-of-area numbers by some VoIP providers.
Callers to an out-of-area VoIP number may end up being charged long-distance rates even to phones in the same city, ACMA said.
And former VoIP subscribers churning to a new operator may end up being unable to port their out-of-area numbers.
ACMA is advising callers who think they have been overcharged for a local call due to out of area numbers to complain to their phone companies, or to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman if unable to resolve the charge internally.