No VoIP for you, G.I. Joe

American troops stationed in South Korea will probably be seeing at least a temporary yet serious increase in their international phone bills, according to the US Department of Defense.

The DoD stated in Thursday’s daily newspaper Stars & Stripes that Thursday would be the last day US militia in South Korea could make voice over Internet Protocol calls through US-based companies. As of Friday, new contracts must be negotiated for South Korea-based VoIP solutions.

South Korea’s major internet service providers joined to state in June 2006 that VoIP calls going through companies not registered under the Korean Telecommunications Business Act would be blocked. Thanks to a little diplomatic maneuvering, the South Korean companies delayed the move until June 1.

Companies currently registered to provide VoIP solutions in Korea include Korea Telecom Corp., Hanaro Telecom Inc. and LG Dacom Corp.