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VoIP provider GlobalTouch Telecom (News - Alert) announced today that its network is now fully CALEA-compliant.

Now that the provider’s network meets the requirements of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), law enforcement agencies can readily tap into the network to monitor any suspicious activity, providing they have a court ordered warrant.

The controversial wiretapping law (basically an expansion of previously passed wiretapping laws) was passed by Congress in 1994 to give law enforcement the means to tap into IP communications networks and record phone conversations – as well as to collect call record details. It came about mainly because law enforcement was facing huge technological challenges to tapping into VoIP networks.

The main regulatory hurdle which needed to be overcome was how to come up with a standardized method for collecting call data (which can be based on either proprietary or open signaling protocols) from IP-based networks. This agenda was pushed by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, which basically had no standardized means for tapping into IP networks to listening in on VoIP phone calls.

As per the law, which was recently expanded to include all forms of Internet communications, VoIP service providers had until May 14, 2007, to provide law enforcement with the means to tap into their networks. CALEA stipulates that it must not be possible for a person to detect that his or her conversation is being monitored by the respective government agency.

Service Providers are allowed to use “trusted third parties” to set up their networks for CALEA compliance. Basically, this involves the implementation of a specific type of network architecture, and some equipment, installed at the network edge, which enables law enforcement to “tap in” to the network without anyone knowing about it. These third parties are allowed to process requests for intercepts, conduct electronic surveillance, and deliver information to law enforcement agencies (LEAs) – however, the service provider itself is ultimately held responsible for getting the data to LEA requesting it.

GlobalTouch is reportedly using IP Fabrics’ DeepSweep for CALEA compliance. According to a press release, DeepSweep “is the first self-contained network surveillance system that provides ISPs with both broadband and VoIP CALEA compliance.” The comprehensive solution includes the network probe, mediation/delivery, and administration functions all in a single product.

GlobalTouch Telecom President and COO Cliff Rees said the company chose DeepSweep because of the system’s “openness and extensibility as well as its full compliance with the ATIS (News - Alert) T1.IAS specification, which offers safe harbor.”

CEO Gregory O. Welch pointed out that GlobalTouch has an advantage over hosted or peer-to-peer VoIP providers in terms of CALEA because “we own our core technology.”

“As such, complying with this order is much easier for us,” he said in the release, without elaborating. He added that GlobalTouch will “continue to address the privacy and security concerns of our partners and customers.”

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Patrick Barnard is Associate Editor for Customer Interaction Solutions magazine and Assignment Editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit Patrick Barnard’s columnist page.