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India’s National Telecom Policy 2012 was approved in the cabinet, allowing major changes for voice over Internet telephony (VoIP). In the past, India had strict restrictions when it came to such communication, but the new policy allows companies to offer VoIP services with the proper license.

Before approving the policy, India only allowed VoIP in specific situations. It was allowed between computers within the India borders. Consumers could also use VoIP between an India computer and phone outside of India. Those with handsets could also use the device to make calls over the Internet.

The approval is good news for Reliance Industries (RIL), a Global 500 enterprise that specializes in energy and materials value chains. The company can now work over VoIP services with pan-India 4G licenses.

RIL will now offer 4G data and voice services to customers who seek large data plans in India. The company does not have to purchase an existing telecom operator to take a lead in the industry with the latest changes. The company can now offer affordable service to consumers with pan-India licenses.

Industry experts are optimistic about the National Telecom Policy 2012 because there are a number of positive outcomes that will derive from its approval. The biggest factor is that it will allow flexibility within the industry and create competition. It will also create a need for a wholesale market for devices and service that does not exist at the moment. In the end it could even mean more jobs.

One expert, Sethuraman pointed out that one biggest feature is that high definition voice calls will be available for the first time.

RIL will immediately offer VOLTE services over its network. This includes IP Multimedia Subsystem (News - Alert) (IMS), Call Session Control Function (CSCF), VOLTE-capable wireless voice application servers (VAs) and handsets that have radio voice call capabilities.