November 06, 2001, 4:07 PM — About 6 percent of international voice call volume travels over the Internet instead of traditional telephone networks, sidestepping some of the more expensive aspects of cross-border telecommunication, according to a report from TeleGeography Inc.
Two things drive the use of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): the cost to carriers for sending a call across a border, and the cost to consumers for long distance calls, said Jason Kowal, president of TeleGeography.
In areas of the world with high settlement rates -- charges one carrier passes to another for accepting a transnational phone call -- carriers can use the Internet to lower the cost, he said.
"The biggest route (for VoIP) is U.S. to Mexico," Kowal said, citing the lack of meaningful competition between Tel
