Mobile industry urged to stop blocking VoIP

Mobile service providers should enable consumers to access Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) from the phones, a leading agency claims.

The Voice On the Net (VON) coalition includes British Telecom, Microsoft, Intel and various other high-profile organisations among its members.

It has issued a plea to the European Union (EU) to stop mobile operators from blocking access to VoIP services over cellular/3G networks.

Presently, network providers such as Vodafone and T-Mobile block users from accessing IP telephony service for fear that it will impact on their core voice revenues.

In a statement, VON said that the "blocking of voice applications on mobile devices" by operators is "highly detrimental for consumer welfare in Europe".

The coalition intends to persuade the EU to introduce new legislation to guarantee free access to IP telephony over mobilebroadband networks.

In related news, research by trade body Intellect has indicated that technology businesses such as VoIP service providers have the potential to survive and prosper during the global economic downturn.