VoIP is made to look illegal because, with cheaper and even free phone calls, that monopoly Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) cannot charge huge fees. But VoIP is changing the telecom industries worldwide. And we should embrace it in Nepal -- all the more whole-heartedly. Our collective goal should be to connect millions more Nepalis to the phone grid, NOT keep most of them out. So what if the NTA loses out? Let the government's monopoly lose out so long as Nepali consumers, as a whole, win. In a country of 2.25 crore, it's a shame that only about 400,000 (4 lakh) have access to phone lines as of now. How long are we going to continue to remain some Fifth World nation? ******************** Here's news about Ebay's recent purchase of Skype for 2.6 billionb US Dollar. - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4237338.stm "Skype's software lets PC users talk to each other for free and make cut-price calls to mobiles and landlines." ***** Here's something from yours truly, if you are interested: - http://www.nepalnews.com.np/ntimes/issue259/strictly_business.htm oohi "NO, I have no ties to any private telecom company -- just want more Nepalis to have access to phone lines one way or another" ashu