T-Mobile UK Bans IM and VoIP
In the UK, network operator T-Mobile has banned the use of IM and VoIP in its new 3G buffet service. Here is some coverage from ZDNet:
Such high speeds would seem to make the new data card ideal for applications such as Internet telephony and instant messaging. However, the fine print for Web’n'Walk Pro reveals that these are explicitly banned by T-Mobile, and any user caught running the applications risks expulsion from the network.
“It’s a commercial decision that we took,” admitted Langton. “We charge two and a half times less than our competition. We’re aiming at the business network. We spoke to our customers and it’s not key to them,” he told ZDNet UK last week.
However, Langton didn’t rule out the possibility of an eventual solution that avoids losing out to third-party clients. “If we find customers are coming to us and saying that they want messaging, well, T-Mobile is not about to tell them they’ll never be allowed to message,” he said, adding, “It might be a T-Mobile client.”
Now that major Philippine mobile operators Globe and Smart are releasing their own flat 3G HSDPA services, will they also be banning Instant Messaging and Voice-over-IP? I just tested both EDGE-versions of Globe Visibility and PLDT WeRoam. Both can still access the usual IM providers (Gtalk, Yahoo, AOL, MSN) and can still use VoIP services (Skype and Free World Dialup). Will this remain? Or will they ban it and roll-out their own?
