Plans to launch a cut-price international phone service in Hong Kong using the Internet have put the operator on a collision course with the government telecoms regulator.
USA Global Link says it plans to begin offering the service within three months, claiming it will cost only $1.60-$2.40 per minute for a call anywhere in the world.
The service will not require the caller or recipient to have a computer. Customers dial a specific number which routes the call over the Internet to the requested international destination.
Acting director-general at the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (Ofta) Tony Wong, said using the Internet for computer-to-computer non-realtime communication was fine, but linking in a phone-to-phone fashion was clearly different.
'I would have a problem with that,' he said.
USA Global Link president Larry Chroman said the company had not had contact with Ofta about its plans but had taken legal advice and was happy it could proceed.