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| T-mobile Tries New Tactic To Kill Off Cheap Mobile Phone Calls T-Mobile policy decision denies access to cheap calls and leaves T-Mobile isolated among mobile operators. T-Mobile has refused to interconnect with mobile VoIP provider Truphone: T-Mobile customers making a call to Truphone's number range (07978 8xxxxx) will not be connected. T-Mobile refuses to interconnect with operators offering VoIP as a matter of policy. However T-Online Ventures, the venture capital arm of T-Mobile's parent company Deutsche Telekom, has just invested in VoIP provider Jajah; T-Mobile connects with BT Fusion, a VoIP service; and T-Mobile has also announced a trial of a VoIP service in USA and Germany. T-Mobile is required to 'make calls or otherwise transmit electronic communications to every normal telephone number', which it has refused to do in the case of Truphone and other VoIP operators. The other four UK major mobile network operators - 3, O2, Orange and Vodafone - all interconnect with Truphone, leaving T-Mobile isolated on this issue. T-Mobile's current adverts display the slogan "Setting the internet free". Currently a 'beta' service, Truphone's is prevented from launching fully until the 07978 8xxxxx number range is fully interconnected. Beta service customers are presently unaffected by this issue. Truphone recently revealed a preview of its new client software, which introduces SMS-over-IP, 'presence' capabilities and VoIP over 3G connections. Other mobile operators have employed different methods to prevent VoIP uptake. There has already been the well-publicised removal of internet telephony functionality from Nokia's popular N95 handset by Vodafone and Orange, and new data tariffs published by Vodafone that mean customers using VoIP will be charged more than for web browsing or email. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Exhibition News :: home page |