Vodafone blocking VOIP on 3G connections

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Vodafone blocking VOIP on 3G connections

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Gremlin

83 posts

Master Geek

#18336 14-Aug-2005 19:12

Yes, I think we're very much in agreement there :)

muppet

2570 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#18442 16-Aug-2005 11:26

What I'd like to know is, how are they going to block VOIP when I tunnel it over a ssh session? Or through a https session?

You either allow data or you don't - If you allow some data you can just encapsulate one packet within another...

timbo

82 posts

Master Geek

#18443 16-Aug-2005 11:30

I doubt they could and probably wouldn't care because what you are talking about will only be done by a very small number of savvy users. And of course you will have an overhead on your VoIP traffic which means you are paying more.

But they would probably only be interested in restricting the VoIP services that are getting large traction - i.e. Skype, and perhaps any residential VoIP service that TelstraClear of Telecom might launch but that allowed internet termination.

muppet

2570 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#18444 16-Aug-2005 11:35

Yes, good points.

I guess I'm not really pulling one over "the man" as I like to imagine, tunnelling isn't something that many people are aware of and it does require a server you own or have permission to terminate the tunnel on.

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#18458 16-Aug-2005 13:10

muppet: Yes, good points. I guess I'm not really pulling one over "the man" as I like to imagine, tunnelling isn't something that many people are aware of and it does require a server you own or have permission to terminate the tunnel on.

Not that it bothers me one bit, but regardless of whether its -possible- or not, its still against the terms of service, and even by tunnelling, you are still in breach of your agreement with them.

For the record, I think its a restrictive stupid restraint and should be dumped... they arent making any friends with it.

Recife

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#18648 18-Aug-2005 14:32

timbo: I doubt they could and probably wouldn't care because what you are talking about will only be done by a very small number of savvy users. And of course you will have an overhead on your VoIP traffic which means you are paying more.

But they would probably only be interested in restricting the VoIP services that are getting large traction - i.e. Skype, and perhaps any residential VoIP service that TelstraClear of Telecom might launch but that allowed internet termination.

Timbo hit the nail on the head. The clause is included in case VoIP takes off and starts heavily loading the Vodafone network/Internet gateway with cheap VoIP traffic. This clause would allow Vodafone to either restrict traffic, or more likely charge you more. Technically this would be complicated, requiring restrictions to be placed on every APN that offers VoIP, and no doubt some geek somewhere will find a way around that.

Currently Vodafone has no restrictions in place, and no additional billing if you do use VoIP. The clause simply allows Vodafone to place restrictions if required.

I personally used VoIP service provided by Net2Phone in the USA for about a year. It was an excellent alternative to Telephone service, allowing incoming and outgoing calls. I was using cable modem at the time, so no bandwidth issues. Quality was sufficient for USA & Canada, but International calls were poor.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79295 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#19521 1-Sep-2005 23:27

And then comes this announcement from Skype:

"Skype has announced a partnership with E-Plus, Germany's third largest mobile phone network. From October, Skype software will be bundled with E-Plus' flat-rate data subscription, allowing people to gain both a high bandwidth Internet connection and free Skype calling over E-Plus' mobile network. The E-Plus network has 9.8 million subscribers".

Some can see the light...

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

jesseycy

294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#19523 2-Sep-2005 00:26

On a related note, I used my mobile tonight (weeknight calling), to Hong Kong, and chatted for an hour.....

Using a "Chi-tel" card (u can buy from various stores, asian ones defintely). Total charge? $0.04X60 = $2.4 And PLUS 3mins (my prepay with double top up) = $0.75. $3.15 for one whole hour, mobile to mobile. NOT BAD!

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79295 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#19525 2-Sep-2005 09:36

Are you sure the 3 minutes x 2 hours promotion includes premium services and access to 0800 numbers?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4