UK networks restricting VoIP apps on phones

One of the best things about smartphones is that there are many apps out there which give us ways of saving money on phone bills. These are tough times, and using VoIP services such as Skype, or instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp has saved money for millions of people.

It’s pretty shocking then, that a recent report by the Internet Telephony Services Providers’ Association (ITSPA) has revealed that some of the UK’s biggest mobile networks are throttling or even blocking VoIP services.

The biggest culprits are allegedly Vodafone, T-Mobile and Orange, who have been said, in some cases, to entirely block access to these apps.

The reasoning behind this is simple. Mobile networks make money off phone calls, and if people use apps like Skype or Rebtel, then this dents the networks’ profits. A recent report by Opinion Matters found that 18 million UK smartphone users would switch to another network if theirs blocked VoIP services.

Andreas Bernstrom, CEO of Rebtel, said ‘We keep a close eye on the factors that prevent us from delivering a fast and quality calling service to our customers.’

‘Traffic shaping is a much debated topic within the telecommunications industry and it has been brought to the attention of Berec (Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications) who are investigating this further to understand the extent of traffic management practices and how it affects consumers’ use of services.’

Is it reasonable that mobile networks have started interfering with apps that effectively save us money at their cost? Give us your thoughts.

[Source: Know your Mobile]