Vodafone : We Disabled VoIP For Your Own Good

In a "hurts us more than it hurts you" statement, Vodafone have gone on record as stating that the reason they disabled VoIP functionality on the Nokia N95 series handsets is because:-

"we don't believe the end to end billing or call quality guarantee is there yet for VoIP on mobile handsets".

Many here will disagree with that sentiment. Having used VoIP on a mobile handset myself, I also disagree. And end to end billing is perfectly reliable and accurate. In fact, Truphone don't even send you a bill - that's not their business model.

That aside, shouldn't this be the choice of the consumer, rather than big-brother mobile encumbent trying to be "protective"?

I mean, I know that I can get a better quality TV picture using free-to-air services via a set-top box, but the TV companies don't force me to do that - I have the choice.

Or maybe this is just Vodafone trying to spin out a PR disaster. Yeah, that's probably about the size of it.

Meanwhile, Truphone is rather enjoying the fight, and the publicity surrounding the "big bad Vodafone" may actually turn out to be the tipping point for them.

Reply from martyndavies on Apr 24, 2007 - 12:24 PM

I wrote some months ago about T-Mobile, and their strategy, which was to terminate users for using VoIP rather than meddle with the handsets. Of course we understand it's not in the telcos' interests to allow free calling instead of billing GSM minutes, but it's still disappointing to see how they are approaching VoIP.

Reply from dean on Apr 25, 2007 - 06:48 PM

And their Portuguese counterparts appear to completely disagree

Reply from martyndavies on May 08, 2007 - 01:27 PM

Silicon.com reports that Orange have rejigged their data tariffs, but also with a specific exclusion for VoIP and IM. Fits in with the nobbling of the Nokia N95s.

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