Since the merger of the ACA and the Australian Broadcasting Authority last year, the combined Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been working to introduce the new 0550 number range for 'substantially nomadic emerging communications services', while ACIF is developing industry codes and standards in the hope of end-to-end IP calls between networks.

ACIF's VOIP interconnection and QoS working group chairman, Dr Paul Brooks said VOIP services are "islands" in that a call can come in from an IP-connected phone but there is little integration and consistency between networks.

"The TIO (Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman) is looking at VOIP providers not currently engaged with the TIO," Brooks said. "Some VOIP providers feel they are 'outside' the framework other service providers are in and they need to get their heads out of the sand."

Speaking at a VOIP summit in Sydney Tuesday, Brooks said ACIF has had a VOIP working group since 2002 and has coordinated VOIP forums since 2004.

ACIF advocates leveraging existing international standards and independent testing of IP networks and providers to ensure transparency with services like calling number identification.