VoIP Blocking: MTN and Vodacom clarify their positions

How they gonna block that? World of Warcraft Teamspeak/Ventrilo... Counter Strike Source Chat facility.

Skype/MSN/AIM talking ability, they all the same thing really.
 
Simple Move?

A decision to block VoIP or charge excess tariffs on this service may result in mass migration to a cellular provider that is less heavy-handed with their network.

Unfortunately, with the way things are now, all the cellular operators will just block the traffic, and we'll (have to) sit tight - maybe Virgin will keep all open, although they don't offer 3G even...
 
he cellular company said that VoIP can not be ignored and that the company must look at issues related to profitability

I rest my case.... "How can we screw the public"
 
When I buy petrol, I can use it for my lawnmower or to drive my car, I still pay the same price per litre?

If I buy bandwidth, and I use it to Skype or browse the net, I still should pay the same price per meg?
 
Why not block Internet access altogether?? It's laughable that it’s even considered.

I thought the whole idea of the internet is to provide global communication. Now it’s a case of what or how should it be restricted!?

Mobile data rates at 50c per Meg (R2/MB out of bundle) are not expensive (or INSANELY expensive). Getting more for less is what every human naturally strives for.

Instead of restricting VoIP, (which will be hacked/cracked/bypassed eventually - shame) why not lower your own rates to 25c/Minute or less. People WILL talk more at that rate and not bitch about the audio quality we currently have at +R1.25/Minute.
More talking for less money! Is that so difficult to comprehend?

EDIT - I wonder when IM services like MXiT/Mig33 are going to be blocked as well........!
 
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[Sarcasm]But you guys don't understand. The want to block VoIP to protect you.

Seligman said that their network has a finite capacity, and that they have to look at the types of traffic on its network to ensure everybody can enjoy a good experience when using MTN’s data services.

See, they have finite capacity and if you try to use VoIP you might not enjoy the experience since it is not as good as their normal calling method.[/Sarcasm]

So, I as an informed person chose to put up with the slightly lower quality VoIP offers (because it costs a fraction of the price btw.) and now MT ****ing N wants to protect me against the bad quality of VoIP?

Better yet, when I pay R25 per meg for VoIP traffic I assume NOTHING will have changed except the price tag. There is no way in hell I will get premium bandwidth dedicated to VoIP. I will just be using the exact same bandwidth I used to only I pay 50x more...

At least we all know they have our best interest at heart. :mad:
 
So, I as an informed person chose to put up with the slightly lower quality VoIP offers
Correction - VoIP is in 99% of cases more than equal or better then what the cellular audio quality is - which is bad to downright crappy 90% of the time.
 
Is it really possible to block Skype? As I understand you can run it on port 80 and encrypt the traffic. That way even hardware packet filterers cannot differentiate between normal and skype traffic? Am I correct in my understanding?
 
The biggest problem for the mobile operators is that mobile networks is build for speech traffic, not data traffic. Our situation is unique in the world, as we use mobile networks as data networks, in stead of fixed line networks (because of Telkoms prices). So, when the mobile network was designed, it was not dimensioned for mainly data type traffic. Vodacom is the network in the world with the most data traffic handled (in the region of a few terrabytes per month).

I can see why the mobile operators is charging extra. It will cost them quite a bit to upgrade their data networks, to handle all the increased data traffic (at the moment they lease lines from Telkom mostly, AFAIK).
 
The biggest problem for the mobile operators is that mobile networks is build for speech traffic, not data traffic. Our situation is unique in the world, as we use mobile networks as data networks, in stead of fixed line networks (because of Telkoms prices). So, when the mobile network was designed, it was not dimensioned for mainly data type traffic. Vodacom is the network in the world with the most data traffic handled (in the region of a few terrabytes per month).
So the 3g/HSCSD/EDGE networks being rolled out arent designed for data? :confused: The mobile operators are just trying to protect their cartel and their massive revenue stream.

Mobile data is rapidly becoming adopted world wide so its hardly a SA phenomenon.

ICASA must not allow them to dictate what data can and cannot be used for and if they start discriminating they must be taken to task.

Still - this is the behaviour I've come to expect from the operators.
 
Lol!!!!

No need to MTN & Voda - don't flatter yourselves! Your networks are FAR TOO POOR TO CARRY VOIP ANYHOW!
Get a life!
My final MTN contract expires in 2 months time and I vow NEVER to fall for a free phone marketing ploy as long as I live!!! :D
 
I know it is not safe to do before we see their offerings but I suspect that Neotel will give us a true VOIP solution. Can't wait to see, I'll be there in a flash.
 
So the 3g/HSCSD/EDGE networks being rolled out arent designed for data? :confused:

Yes, for data, i.e. ringtones, wallpapers, etc. Not the kind of data you would browse/download from you PC. It was never designed for that from the start.
 
Yes, for data, i.e. ringtones, wallpapers, etc. Not the kind of data you would browse/download from you PC. It was never designed for that from the start.

Considering that all data over TCP/IP is broken into packets, how do the two types of data differ from each other? I'm thinking maybe size, but 100's of users downloading ringtones boils down to the same thing (?)
 
Yes, for data, i.e. ringtones, wallpapers, etc. Not the kind of data you would browse/download from you PC. It was never designed for that from the start.
You're kidding me right? 3g was designed to download a ringtone at speeds greater than 1mb/s? 3g is a broadband connection designed for data.
 
You're kidding me right? 3g was designed to download a ringtone at speeds greater than 1mb/s? 3g is a broadband connection designed for data. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G#Features

If you read carefully, you'll I said that it wasn't designed for that from the start. The take-up of 3G for internet access could not have been predicted by any of the operators, as they based their network model on the networks in Europe, which is used for calls (basic and video), not as primary internet access method.

Obviously, with mobile TV coming they will have to make provision for bigger bandwidth, and will then not have any reason for blocking or charging higher rates for VoIP, as VoIP will be comparatively lower on resources.
 
If you read carefully, you'll I said that it wasn't designed for that from the start. The take-up of 3G for internet access could not have been predicted by any of the operators, as they based their network model on the networks in Europe, which is used for calls (basic and video), not as primary internet access method.

Obviously, with mobile TV coming they will have to make provision for bigger bandwidth, and will then not have any reason for blocking or charging higher rates for VoIP, as VoIP will be comparatively lower on resources.

So then why did manufacturers design data cards, handsets that could interface with laptops etc. Remember seeing "Vodafone Mobile Connect" cards being advertised on international channels before 3G was launched here anyway.

ICASA needs to pass some sort of network neutrality law that makes these differing tariffs illegal.
 
This isnt a problem unique to south africa, Its international. So we shouldnt complain abt ICASA and the telecoms indutry in sa for this problem.. Deutshe telecom has also blocked it, so has vodafone. Duetshe has even threatened to disconnect users if they find people are using voip...

Only thing is Skype uses proprietary headers so the networks have difficulty finding out its voip..They see it is ordinary p2p traffic.. so i dunno how MTN will block skype, unless they block p2p traffic altogether...

However i think voip traffic from Mino etc. can be picked up by the networks.....
 
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Some of the discussion on this thread has been around the argument that the mobile operators have not dimensioned their networks to carry VoIP. The question then becomes - if the network is not dimensioned to carry VoIP, then it is surely not dimensioned for Bittorrent? Thus we need to ask: can a cogent argument be built around the discussion that the provisioning issues are not only related to VoIP (if they are indeed real at all).

We need to be able to argue that VoIP is no different to any other kind of data, and that an argument that the networks are not adequately provisioned for VoIP is tantamount to admitting that they are just not adequately provisioned (full stop).

Based on that, someone would need to look at the relevant provisions of the ECA, and determine whether or not there is a regulatory attack against the move which MTN are talking about making.
 
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