The Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) will be hosting its second annual Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) forum next month to focus on inter-provider cooperation.

A range of VoIP issues will be covered at the forum, from quality of service to security. The forum will also feature case studies on VoIP deployment, and a panel discussion on the implications to industry on the regulation of VoIP services.

Speakers include industry analysts and professionals from organizations such as Alcatel, Engin, Huawei, iiNet, Neighbourhood Cable, Nortel, Optus, Pacific Internet, Telstra and Telsyte, with a keynote address by the Department of Communication Information Technology and the Arts' deputy secretary of communications Fay Holthuyzen.

Anne Hurley, ACIF chief executive officer, said the VoIP forum is timely and relevant in light of the government's release of its report on VoIP services. While the government has found no immediate need for any changes to the regulatory framework, it has encouraged new and non-traditional providers of networks and services to participate in industry self-regulation processes and in ACIF's work on next-generation networks.

"ACIF's position is that self-regulation needs to keep pace with the changes that VoIP is bringing to telecommunications services to ensure that users are adequately protected," Hurley said.

"We hope this forum will provide a platform to discuss any foreseeable challenges and opportunities that may arise when multiple providers work together to deliver VoIP services."

The forum will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at the NSW Trade and Investment Centre in Sydney.