By Teresa von Fuchs
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
VoIP company Truphone continues to raise complaints against Vodafone's crippling VoIP functions on mobile phones.
"We believe Vodafone's stance is not lawful, and we are considering our position," James Tagg chief executive of Truphone, said in a statement. Truphone is threatening legal action if Vodafone continues to fail to meet interconnection obligations.
Vodafone has disabled the integrated VoIP functions on the Nokia N95 and Truphone also accused the carrier of blocking calls made to Truphone's range of mobile numbers, whether they are made over Wi-Fi or the Vodafone network.
Truphone claims these actions are in breach of telecom regulation. Tagg told PC World: "European telecoms legislation gives operators an obligation to interconnect and to offer unfettered access to services." According to Truphone, Vodafone also blocks VoIP Websites, including Skype.
In a statement, Vodafone said: "Customers can download VoIP applications if they choose to do so or can use VoIP services via a laptop and data card."
Vodafone has argued that it has a right to determine the software on subsidized handsets, but Truphone counters that consumers have a right to any functions integrated onto handsets.
Vodafone also claims that it disabled Internet telephony on the N95 for the consumer's protection. "Vodafone believes that VoIP-over-mobile is not yet a mature service proposition as it does not have guaranteed quality of service, and would fall short of the customer experience demanded of any service we launch," the carrier said in a statement.
Vodafone has not formally responded to Truphone's number-blocking claims.