What is Digg?Sponsored by Sony Pictures
Watch a scene from 2012, in theaters November 13 view!
whowillsurvive2012.com - Get ready for the biggest event in history - the end of time. How will you survive? 2012- opening 11/13
64 Comments
- peestandingup, on 04/04/2009, -1/+31All these stupid VOIP bans make me wanna get a data-only plan with no minutes, use an unlocked phone with the full version of Skype (or SIP or whatever) & VOIP my effing brains out on both 3G & WiFi.
Providers are gonna have to accept that voice, text, internet, etc are all basically just generic data (kinda like your internet at home, except mobile) these days. But they still separate it all like the old days to charge more & so they wont be thought of as just mobile internet providers, which is really what they are. - ShuttleXpC, on 04/04/2009, -2/+22Sad thing is, this supposed ban over there will not go over well with EU's reigning fair rights people. Just look at some of the other things they have sued companies for (MS's including of IE into their OS as unfair) This ban will last about 1 month at most before its in court and T-mobile is paying a fine for unfair practices. Trust me.
- amorphis101, on 04/04/2009, -2/+16Shows once again how short sighted greedy business figures block technological advance. Of course, they will have a hard time blocking WIFI usage anyway. It's just about their UMTS network, which they hope to turn into a cash cow.
- franklymister, on 04/04/2009, -0/+13Already exists, go and get it: http://www.openmoko.com/
- Appleologist, on 04/04/2009, -2/+13The title is inaccurate. "T-Mobile wants to ban use of the Skype app on both its 3G network and its extensive Wi-Fi hot spot network." Sounds like they just are wanting to ban Skype on their Wi-Fi networks.
- freesf, on 04/04/2009, -1/+10Companies should NOT control what you can and cannot not do on the internet!
- geniusj, on 04/04/2009, -1/+9I'm not sure if this is a troll, but Skype in my experience is much more resilient than the typical SIP/RTP combo. The call quality is also superior versus the vast majority of SIP deployments. That's because Skype uses a wide-band codec by default while most SIP deployments are still using something like g.711 or g.729 which are narrow-band codecs.
- FairDinkumMate, on 04/04/2009, -2/+9This has nothing to do with T-Mobile's cel network. They are trying to ban people from using Skype on I-phones that those people own(or rent), regardless of whether they use bandwith from their own personal home wifi networks, other wifi networks or T-Mobile's own free wifi hotspots. If they don't want people using Skype on their free wifi hotspot network, THAT is up to them, but that should affect ALL users of those hotspots, not specifically I-phone users.
So think again - this is a company trying to protect its own business model by placing restrictions on the fair use of equipment that they neither own or operate, hardly free market capitalism. - Dankoozy, on 04/04/2009, -1/+8*sigh* a digg user subtly bragging about having a gf
- sten0257, on 04/04/2009, -0/+5In your dreams dude - As much as I hope they won't Verizon will block the ***** out of this application.
- DamnMan, on 04/04/2009, -2/+7These networks are not a private club that can decide what drinks it serves and what shows it puts on. These networks are toll roads and they want to put arbitrary limitations on how many people can be in a car at a time because they see more than 2 people per car as cutting into their toll profits.
What innovation exactly is it that's being given away? You still pay for the skype service. You even pay T-Mobile for the network usage. Everyone's getting paid so wheres the socialism? This is about protecting their older more antiquated technology by intentionally BREAKING functionality of newer technology. Capitalistic Innovation indeed. - priegog, on 04/04/2009, -0/+5There's also the software-only-open source phone, Android. Unfortunately, Openmoko didn't really turn any heads with their offerings, but android is doing so... And they already have a (washed down, mind you) version of skype
- coadyj, on 04/04/2009, -0/+5I dont mean to sound stupid, but what is a troll?
- DamnMan, on 04/04/2009, -1/+5The app is still available in the app store. You can still use it on your personal wireless network. T-mobile wifi hotspots will just refuse all skype traffic. Jailbreak ain't gonna fix that, even your laptop running the full out x86 client will be worthless.
- voteme4pope, on 04/04/2009, -0/+4They live under bridges and eat fishes.
- nikhil1986, on 04/04/2009, -0/+3At least T-Mobile is banning the service. Skype isn't even releasing this service in Canada (for it eventually to be banned because Rogers is a bitch). I guess I can Fring does the same thing right now, so I might not miss it. It would have been nice to have a Skype app though :(
- geniusj, on 04/04/2009, -0/+3VPN :)
- jjones20, on 04/04/2009, -3/+6they are blocking technological advances because we arent going to get apps like this in the future if the network "cant handle it".
to me it would be like your ISP blocking youtube because "the network cant handle it".
in terms of wireless carrier, we are being gouged for data plans already, and now theyre saying we cant do certain things with the data were paying for, theyve locked cellphones down so much its ridiculous. - Dankoozy, on 04/04/2009, -1/+4that would take massive amounts of organisation. and organising people is like herding cats
- Residents, on 04/04/2009, -0/+2Reminds me of the Iphone tethering apps not being sold in the US. Same type of deal really.
- LostSoul83, on 04/04/2009, -0/+2This is yet another good reason for consumers to demand hardware that can run any software they want. Users could use a different port with Skype, or perhaps even use a proxy to escape from being victims in corporate collusion.
- inactive, on 04/04/2009, -1/+3Nah, I don't think we need to do that.
- ehaugan, on 04/04/2009, -0/+2I wonder if it has anything to do with T-Mobile's UMA service they are trying to market. I had it on my blackberry before my iPhone and it is simply amazing. Basically allows your phone to use your WiFi for cell service when you are in an area that has no cell signal.
- buddamus, on 04/04/2009, -3/+5I'm still waiting for the open source phone, that should have much better VOIP than Skype
- TVarmy, on 04/04/2009, -0/+2Yep. ISPs seem to be catching on faster than the mobile phone companies, although they're not immune, either, since they're almost entirely made up of the old phone and cable TV systems. Comcast throttled bit torrent for a while, and there's evidence they throttled Vonage for a while, as well. I wonder if we might get companies that are just purely ISPs in the future, maybe with the emergence of WiMax or some other technology.
- priegog, on 04/04/2009, -0/+2That's not entirely a stupid idea. There are new companies emerging with whole new approaches to suscription plans and all that... Sure, they're for profit, but they SEEM to not be so interested in screwing you, but rather working with you. Ie: they don't sell simlocked phones, their contracts don't have minimun montly consuption fees, they don't make you stay X number of months with them in exhange for a phone... And they're starting to be really big in some countries. Lookup Simyo, that's the biggest one, I think. It's taking over europe for normal (ie: non corporate) customers.
- SniperZero, on 04/05/2009, -1/+2***** THIS, this is *****. T-Mobile go ***** yourselves k?
- whoreable, on 04/05/2009, -0/+1Shortsighted enough to put a clause in the contract strictly prohibiting VOIP.
- reed311, on 04/04/2009, -1/+2Well, this makes sense that they want to ban it. It undercuts their business. It's the same reason that most movie theaters won't allow you to bring outside food and drink, as it undercuts the product which they are selling.
- c010rb1indusa, on 04/04/2009, -6/+7So Unlimited data plan is really limited afterall
- MiDri, on 04/04/2009, -0/+1that is because it is routed through the nimbuzz server.
- vastrightwing, on 04/05/2009, -0/+1It is policies like this that makes me not buy any "smart" phone. What's the point?
They're expensive, lock you into a particular network, the applications are locked and crippled, the CPUs are slow, data plans are expensive and capped. The browsers are crippled and won't work on many major websites. Really, why are people so wowed over them? They don't make a phone+network that makes me want to buy one yet. - inactive, on 04/04/2009, -1/+2Nope, don't' feel like it.
- encrypter, on 04/04/2009, -0/+1Make a US iTunes account and you can download Skype. No credit card required.
- SpookyET, on 04/04/2009, -1/+2"The company’s reasoning is that the program’s high data use would choke the network infrastructure and that it violates the customer contract, prohibiting VoIP—a clause apparently used by all other German mobile service providers as well."
That's utter rubbish. Those networks are made to support video calling. VoIP uses very little data, far less than a traditional analogue phone. - pamuckraker, on 04/10/2009, -0/+1Skype is the type of product that doesn't jive with either Apple or AT&T's business plans of monopolization. Neither will talk about the alleged federal violations. For more information on this issue, here is an article to read: http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Iphone-S ...
- priegog, on 04/04/2009, -0/+1Or get a pay-as-you-go voice AND data plan.
And not one of those default $2/kb nonsense... That's what I have, but I believe those don't exist in the US. Do they? - bajanboost, on 04/05/2009, -0/+1I love how they state they will cancel contracts with anyone that tries to work around the ban... I wish my provider up here in Canada would do something similar so I could break the contract and get out of my 3-year term...
- Frostek, on 04/06/2009, -0/+1Skype does use a lot of bandwidth, so it's easy to see why it would be unpopular. Hardly matters on home broadband, but not so good on a telephone.
Also the Bavarian local government are able to listen in on Skype conversations, a facility provided to them by Skype's own engineers. Would tend to put me off, personally. - vandersarJr, on 04/04/2009, -0/+1Verboten!
- Mikey4Goalie, on 04/04/2009, -0/+1I can make up stats outta my ass too, but I don't. If you are going to make those claims, have some facts to back it... because while I don't have the facts to support it, I would disagree.
- geniusj, on 04/04/2009, -1/+1I doubt it. First of all, you're speaking about T-Mobile US. But, second of all, anyone with t-mobile and the right phone can use their UMA and it doesn't cost them anything aside from the normal minutes (Yes, you can get the unlimited UMA separately :)).. But I think it just comes down to them wanting you to be paying them for voice minutes and not someone else.
- inactive, on 04/04/2009, -1/+1My "3" skype phone is free to use on their 3g network ( like when i'm in town) as is the MSN application.
Obviously both are free on my home lan too. - diearzte2, on 04/04/2009, -1/+1They have a LOT of wifi spots though. Like they are pretty much everywhere in most towns. Even in the small town I lived in they had a pretty high tech phone booth + wifi every couple of blocks. The phone booth was basically like a public computer that you had to pay for.
- inactive, on 04/04/2009, -2/+2Funny. Corporations seem to be able to organize to ***** over people. So when did the people lose the ability to ***** them back?
- goodfangji, on 04/06/2009, -0/+0Good! I believe skype does work when you use the nimbuzz client, although I dont have tmobile :http://www.cell-phones-mobile-phones.com
- Mikey4Goalie, on 04/04/2009, -0/+0Until they have to spend millions of infrastucture and then you wouldn't want to pay them squat to use the service. Then we will see if the really work the way you would want them to.
- SpookyET, on 04/04/2009, -1/+1The comment was targeted at someone who understand the data requirements of voice and video as well as what is available to customers in Europe. You are neither. Fire up wikipedia and check how much bandwidth VoIP and video calling use.
- icndvl, on 04/04/2009, -1/+1Jailbreaked my Iphone, skype works great over 3G. That being said, blocking VoIP is dumb.
- aristotle0dude, on 04/04/2009, -2/+1You are frustrated but you don't seem to get that the mobile infrastructure is simply not there to provide what you are looking for and that voice on a cell network is highly compressed while data is not compressed and they also use a completely different network layer. Just google it for yourself.
You are never going to see wireless providers allowing Skype on their data networks because they are a direct competitor for their main business which is voice communication. You might want to use data and pay for a data plan but the majority of people out there don't give a crap about data on their cell and just use it to talk to other people. Do you really expect them to commit economic suicide to please a small niche of their customer base?
Look at it this way, if they allowed skype and someone released an easy to use app for skype on all of the smart phone platforms, you could see even noobs using skype and data instead of voice minutes and that would not only overload their data network but it would rob them of revenue from voice plans. -
Show 51 - 64 of 64 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is