Mobile Phone Reviews
 
 
Vodafone and Orange puts the squeeze on free VoIP service

Thu, 26 Apr 2007

A new company who provides free voice over the internet calls (VoIP) is accusing the major mobile phone providers of closing ranks of their service.

The company Truphone launched their service in September 2006 and allows customers to download free software directly to their mobile phones so they can make free calls or at least cheaper calls . The system works using a WiFi network so customers can bypass their normal network provider, whose call tariff is part of a contract and likely to be quite expensive.

Vodafone and Orange have now released a Nokia N95 mobile phone but the VoIP function has been disabled on it.

James Tagg, Chief Executive of Truphone said the company started to receive customer complaints ten days ago when they found that the Truphone VoIP could not be used with the Nokia N95 mobile handset .

He went on to say that if the matter resolved soon he will take the issue to the European regulators.

Mr Tagg said, "Operators have annoyed customers by blocking this functionality on their phones . We need a level playing field where we can compete fairly."

Orange and Vodafone have responded by saying that the VoIP function was not disabled because of Truphone or any other VoIP provider.

An Orange spokesman said the reason their company had disabled VoIP was so customers would not be confused due to it being a new function which needs to be tested further.

According to Vodafone, they do not offer VoIP as a service like that needs "an end-to-end customer experience, billing integration and customer service support which is currently not available".

"Vodafone believes that VOIP over mobile is not yet a mature service proposition and an experience that our customers would want to be exposed to," a spokesman said.

"Vodafone feels responsible to protect the customer from unexpected charges and potential "bill shock" associated with unintended data service usage."

John Tysoe, managing director Mobile World, a telecoms analysis company, said at the heart of the matter is whether mobile phone companies are obliged to provide a service that affects their own products. In his opinion, "The answer must be no."
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