When we sell handsets we put our own bespoke user interface on the device, and we don’t as a mobile operator, offer a VoIP proposition for our clients, a Vodafone spokesperson told Computer Business Review. We don’t believe the end-to-end billing or call quality guarantee is there yet for VoIP on mobile phones.
The Newbury, UK-based operator said it doesn’t bar people from downloading VoIP applications. It is possible to download a VoIP client onto a Vodafone mobile phone, and as far as I am aware, it is possible to use it, said the spokesperson.
Orange also confirmed it has disabled VoIP on the N95. It is not Orange’s policy to remove VoIP functionality from devices, a spokesperson said. This is a handset-specific issue, and in this particular instance Orange was asked by Nokia whether they wanted the VoIP functionality switched on or off, and Orange selected off. The VoIP functionality is available with the E60.
The issue came to light last week when Truphone said it had received feedback from a number of clients who complained that they were unable to use Truphone on their Orange or Vodafone branded N95 handsets.
We know that Truphone works perfectly well on the Nokia N95, and on investigation it was discovered that ‘branded’ handsets acquired on contract from Vodafone and Orange had the internet telephony menu option removed (or permanently ‘hidden’), said Truphone. Altered in this way, these handsets cannot be used to make mobile VoIP calls, although the standard, unmodified version of the phone clearly has the capability.
Our View
There is little doubt that Nokia N95 handsets supplied by Orange and Vodafone in the UK have had their VoIP capability removed. Many believe this is a protectionist move by operators looking to safeguard voice revenues. No doubt, the operators will argue they have the right to decide how they will customize their user interface.
What is not clear at this time is why the operators have picked on the N95 and not other Nokia devices. Nokia could feel a little aggrieved that a selling point of its new N95 is being disabled.
But the real question is, do the operators have the right to disable certain features of a phone? Are the rights of the user or the operator paramount? Also, are the operators telling customers purchasing these phones that a key feature of the handset has been disabled?
Speaking to Computer Business Review, Ofcom was clear on the matter. There is no regulatory requirement to offer VoIP access over a mobile phone network, said a spokesperson. Not every mobile operator blocks VoIP. Ofcom believes there is enough competition in the UK mobile market-place, so that users will vote with their feet and move to a service provider that does provide VoIP access.
A more serious point however has emerged. Speaking to Computer Business Review, Truphone CEO James Tagg accused Vodafone of blocking Truphone numbers. Vodafone are currently blocking the launch number range made up of 100,000 customers, said Tagg. We are taking the view that this is simply a mistake on Vodafone’s behalf and will be corrected shortly.
Certainly, when this reporter tried to call a Truphone number from a mobile phone connected to the Vodafone mobile network, he was told the number was not in use.
