The problem is NOT T-mobile blocking the use of the VOIP client on their network, but rather refusing to terminate regular cellular calls TO a block of UK numbers recently assigned to Truphone.

This is NOTHING to do with data plans. We’re talking regular GSM cellular calls on the T-mobile side.

It’s akin to, say, T-mobile refusing to connect calls to Virgin Mobile subscribers. It’s just punitive.

So here comes WiMax. Be interesting to see how the telco’s respond?

However, T-Mobile’s fears could almost be understandable. How else are they going to meet their performance projections? ;) Rebtel’s CEO Hjalmar Windbladh explained that Vodafone’s annual revenue increases can be attributed to customers not using their inclusive minutes offered with their phone contracts. Read the full story on http://blog.rebtel.com/ Perhaps, they want to protect their investment in Jajah?

Personally, the troubles between T-Mobile and Truphone are indicative of old phone company mentality. However, the real discussion is why trouble yourself, there already exists a solution for long distance calls - the real solution is http://www.rebtel.com

The general assumption that call to 07xxx Mobile Number = Termination on Expensive Mobile Network is now invalid.

Calls to any number - fixed, mobile, VoIP or a Skype or other ID - now might actually terminate on a cellphone, fixed phone, or other device, via VoWLAN, VoIPo3G, circuit, high-quality circuit, voicemail server or perhaps be forked to 2 or more of these.

Some solutions are possible -

a) Biller keeps all the money, but they have to interconnect everywhere to keep their customers happy

b) Because mobile numbers are more “valuable” than fixed numbers (people tend to put them in their phonebooks first, plus they assume they can receive SMS etc), charge the operator for each 07x number issued.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWt0XUocViE

I don’t know if there’s a Net Neutrality movement in Europe, but the video is proof they need one.

Win win as far as I’m concerned - check them out: http://www.yeigo.com

Just out of interest, what is a radio subsystem?

Just text NOKIA to 64446 and you’ll get a configuration message back immediately. Once you’ve told the phone which access point to use you use it immediately and without any software to install.

You also don’t have to have an 07xxx number, which people will be unsure how much it costs to call - you can have a UK geographic number in the city of your choice for £2/month.

| I have a Vodafone N95 and read previously that | both Vodafone and Orange removed the VOIP
| capability from this. This being the case why
| am i able to use the other 2 providers named
| here Wifimobile and Fring but not Truphone?

Yes - they adapt the firmware but according to allaboutsymbian.com forums you can reflash the phone with standard firmware and restore mobile VoIP capability.

| Reference the comments from JT i hold my hands
| up to all the start ups in mobile VOIP. This is
| going to be huge over the next couple of years
| and the Network Operators will have no choice
| but to embrace it.

Another alternative in the UK is aql’s mobile VoIP service. They will auto-configure your Nokia (check http://aql.com/telecoms) without requiring you to download or install anything on your phone. Just send ‘nokia’ to 64446 and get an auto-configuration message back.

“It is because you can beat the system. It is awesome I do it all the time, it saves me a ton of money. Basically the way I have it setup is I use http://www.voicestick.com and tmobiles fav 5 plan. I tell tmobile that I want voicestick as one of my favorite numbers and then I set up the i2bridge with voicestick so that every time I call from my cell phone it just gives me a dial tone. This way all of my calls are free to voicestick. I never have to worry about going over my minutes or anything like that. It is great!”

I’d like to clarify one thing: It is quite feasible to hand out a Truphone number as your only number. If you are not available directly on WiFI (or 3G or EDGE) then the call is automatically forwarded to GSM.

Also the phones (N95 and E-series) have generic SIP VoIP capabilities in firmware, in exactly the same way they have GSM capabilities. Those operators who choose to ship their phones without this have merely turned off the menus that allow you to access it.

The operators that disable VoIP (and indeed those that disable the whole of WiFi in the US) do indeed make the same argument as Sheryl; we’ll have to see if the regulators and competition authorities agree. Meanwhile let’s hope that consumers vote with their feet and buy from operators that are more open minded.

Finally, the reason that Fring and WiFiMobile work on the handset is that they are standalone applications that do not use the Nokia VoIP capabilities; the penalty you pay for this is typically poor battery life as the application is less well integrated into the radio subsystem.

I have a Vodafone N95 and read previously that both Vodafone and Orange removed the VOIP capability from this. This being the case why am i able to use the other 2 providers named here Wifimobile and Fring but not Truphone? Sorry if it’s a silly question but i must be missing something.

Reference the comments from JT i hold my hands up to all the start ups in mobile VOIP. This is going to be huge over the next couple of years and the Network Operators will have no choice but to embrace it.

In fact, a very large VOIP company in Canada was just purchased by a US mobile phone company. Perhaps they were afraid that the same sort of thing may happen.