Legal Implications of International Remote Extensions

[redbudindustries]

Our company works with and services multiple countries around the world. To save on long distance calling we have considered providing some of these contractors an extension on our PBX. We are hesitant to do this until we are clear on the legal hoops and conditions it would bring. Does anyone else have any experience with in this matter?

 

[nub]

lawyers

 

[leejor]

I'm aware that some countries do their best to block VoIP services, or just about any service that by-passes their incumbent carrier, but people still manage to find ways around it, usually with VPN. I have not heard of any legal implications of using VoIP services from one country to the next, if you can get it to work. I think it would be a different matter if you were attempting to sell telecomunication services in a country that deliberately blocked or forbid such services.

If you have been warned by authorities NOT to use VoIP services over Wifi/internet in a country, and you choose to ignore, then you take a risk of a knock (or more) on your door. But, that is the risk taken of the person in that country, I cannot see how they could do anything to a company operating outside that country. Many large corporations have VPN, for their employees to use while travelling. If they can get it to work, then the county/ISP that doesn't want you using it, isn't doing their job if you can get through. Just look at what happened with China and VPN services a while back.

 

[redbudindustries]

I'm aware that some countries do their best to block VoIP services, or just about any service that by-passes their incumbent carrier, but people still manage to find ways around it, usually with VPN. I have not heard of any legal implications of using VoIP services from one country to the next, if you can get it to work. I think it would be a different matter if you were attempting to sell telecomunication services in a country that deliberately blocked or forbid such services.

If you have been warned by authorities NOT to use VoIP services over Wifi/internet in a country, and you choose to ignore, then you take a risk of a knock (or more) on your door. But, that is the risk taken of the person in that country, I cannot see how they could do anything to a company operating outside that country. Many large corporations have VPN, for their employees to use while travelling. If they can get it to work, then the county/ISP that doesn't want you using it, isn't doing their job if you can get through. Just look at what happened with China and VPN services a while back.

Thanks for the reply. We are not as worried about legal retaliation or thing of that nature. We are more concerned with business and Tax laws. If we give a person outside the US an extension does that make them an employee? Does it create a business presence that would require us to adhere to their business laws, taxes, politics, and other obstacles?

 

[Evolute IT]

Thanks for the reply. We are not as worried about legal retaliation or thing of that nature. We are more concerned with business and Tax laws. If we give a person outside the US an extension does that make them an employee? Does it create a business presence that would require us to adhere to their business laws, taxes, politics, and other obstacles?

No. An employee is on your payroll. An extension can be a anyone.

There are no legal issues with having remote phones even outside your country. The only limitation is if that country (ex China) doesn't want any web traffic out of the country so you wouldn't be able to have one there.

 

[leejor]

If we give a person outside the US an extension does that make them an employee? Does it create a business presence that would require us to adhere to their business laws, taxes, politics, and other obstacles?

If you are that concerned, then you should probably be speaking to a law firm about what you are planning . Simply allowing access to your PBX, VPN, etc.,from the internet, for employees, friends, relatives, should not be considered a "business presence" in another country, or, everyone that had a web page would be considered doing so. If you offered services in that country, collected fees etc., then you should probably be concerned, and have to look into tax implications, amongst other things