VOIP over MTN Data Network

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AK65

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Here is a quote lifted from the MTN website:

"In terms of the current regulatory regime in South Africa, please note that these tariffs and the MTN GPRS, GPRS+, EDGE or 3G technologies may not be used to transfer or generate Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) traffic. Should it be found that VoIP traffic was carried over the MTN network using these tariffs or technologies, MTN reserves the right to cancel the agreement that you have with MTN, with immediate effect. You will also be charged retrospectively at R21.93 per Megabyte (VAT excluded) for any VoIP traffic transferred by such means."

Surely this is out of date? Was there not a change in regulations that effectively means that SP's can provide voice services over their data networks? If so, why has MTN not updated their website?

Any answers?
 
They'll hav one moerse unhappy customer if they dare come and me and charge me R20 per meg!
 
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The fact that MTN is allowed to does not mean that they have to. MTN is emphatically disallowing the use of VOIP. This could lose them business, but it is their choice.
 
The impression created by their statement is that it is not allowed due to LEGISLATION and/or REGULATION, so they are not allowed to do this by law. These have now changed. So do they still follow this policy to protect voice revenue, if so they must clearly state it. I'd like to see some official correspondence from them, because their website is hopelessly out of date, and I know this for a fact.
 
MTNSP Broadband,

I just want to make sure I understand you correctly:

If you discover someone using Skype over your broadband service you will penalize them....is this correct?
 
MTNSP Broadband said:
Hi

MTN does not support voip

Thank you

MTNSP BROADBAND
Click to expand...
MTNSP Broadband, this reply is one of your least helpful replies thus far.

Please elaborate. Does it mean that MTN BLOCKS voip? Or does it mean that voip may or may not work in some cases? Or does it mean that if you detect voip, all voip packets will be billed differently, or will you disconnect our accounts or what?

If you don't want to or can not comment, just say so. But don't give us such useless replies please.:(
 
From what I gather, and I may be wrong, the network does physically support voip, but they don't want you to utilize that method of communication. If they do pick up VOIP they will start billing you at R25.00 per meg for all packets, regardless of wether it be for voip or not.

It just works at a loss to allow customers to use this method (international calls and such). I wouldn't be surprised if Telkom and all other networks that don't have the same attitude, soon adopt it.

There are people that make use of VOIP on MTN and other. Ican't as I don't have that speed at my disposal.

my 50 cent

PS:MTNSP BB is robot. The responses are preprogrammed and mean nothing.
 
I am very sure this can be challenged in court, and would make an interesting test case. I would still prefer MTN to put the answer in writing!!

In most cases where suppliers have done this in other parts of the world, they have either fallen short or changed policy due to a loss of customers.South Africa has become a bit of a leader in roll-out of 3G, and in MTN case Edge, hence making this even more interesting on a world scale.

In my opinion Cell providers and telcos will have to adapt to become data providers as communication will effectively become totally free. This is happening worldwide, and the SA companies are just bleeding as much profit as possible. Can't blame them but the writing is on the wall......
 
I am not so familiar with voip or Skype for that matter. Isn't the latency on EDGE and 3G a problem? What sort of latencies are required for a usable voip connection to say the UK or US?
 
Im going to test this, and if it so happens that they charge me R25 per meg, i'll be switching over to Voda or Cell C before u can say MTN Sucks. :mad:
 
MTNSP Broadband said:
Hi

MTN does not support voip

Thank you

MTNSP BROADBAND
Click to expand...

MTNSP Broadband, I'm really sorry to flame you, but your response is MORONIC. You sound like a toy where you pull the string, and a stupid one liner comes out. The same one every time.

READ MY ORIGINAL POST, quoted from your master's website. Its *bleeding* obvious MTN doesn't support VOIP. What is confusing is the spin about the regulatory framework being the reason why.

I have read every post you have made on this forum, and you have been of little help to anybody, have not answered questions, given out incorrect information and generally been a huge disappointment. None of the information I have on data services has come from you. I have had to burrow DEEP into the belly of MTN to any correct information on data products.

If you are the official presence of MTN, then God help MTN and us users, cos we're all headed for the toilet.
 
AK65,

Voip is reliant on latency, very much so! I have tested Voip on 3G and if you have a great signal (near to a tower) it does work. The more mature the infrastructure the lower the latency will become.

Latency will become an important issue for data providers as it will affect more than just VOIP in the future.

VOIP will destroy the current revenue model for Mobile operators ( and Telkom) and this is why I hint that they will become data providers in the future. It may take a lot longer in SA but it will get through eventually.

The pure fact that we are seeing hardware been sold in SA, with Skype preloaded, is a sign that MTN has not had all of its wishes, otherwise they would insist that the hardware manufacturer remove it!

Still no respectable answer from MTNSP.....?
 
Huh... mmmm, howcome there is only a small disclaimer on the website, and no where else, as a 3G MTN user, im a little worried, firstly that was not a conclusive enough answer, and I did a test call from Skype and it worked, now they must charge me R25 for that...

Does Vodacom charge R25 for VoIP usage, and do they support it?
 
"The road of the lost is paved with moronic responses by those who either don't care or don't know"
Clearly there is a problem in communication here......MTNBB?!, heard of a little thing called porting? This forum is loaded with people in the know,surely you should be to?it is that type of response that will lose you not only customers(by word of mouth) but also respect as the "official" voice of Mtn here?!
just a thought
use it,dont use it,whatever.....................
Lipo
 
Ban MTNSP BB

I vote that we ban the current MTN representation, from this site! Until MTN commits to providing a dedicated/competent representative (like IMO the vodacom rep)

Without a rep we run the risk of not having 'official' info (which we are already mitigating to some extend thru our own research)
Without a rep they run the risk of loosing customers...

just a thought
 
i'm getting my Jasjar early next year, and if it has skype preloaded I'll use it. VOIP is data and if MTN charge me anything more than the standard data rate of R2 / MB there will be loads of sh*t.
 
VOIP over MTN

Skype does work over MTN's GPRS/3G service and as some one said earlier, the latency is going to be your biggest enemy.

They dont monitor what traffic you use on your sessions but will eventually move in that direction but this will be used to the benefit of the customer.
 
JaneDoe said:
They dont monitor what traffic you use on your sessions but will eventually move in that direction but this will be used to the benefit of the customer.
Click to expand...
Who decides what will benefit the customer? MTN? I don't think they get to decide what will benefit me if it means protocol/port/packet (de)prioritisation.

Basically my response is:"Keep your filthy mitts off MY data"
 
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