T-Mobile Germany, iPhone’s exclusive carrier in Germany, have announced that they would not be allowing customers to use the Skype application on either the iPhone or Blackberry devices.
T-Mobile spokesperson Alexander von Schmettow told the German online site, the Local:
“It is clearly stated in our customer contracts that such services may not be used…There are two reasons for this – because the high level of traffic would hinder our network performance, and because if the Skype programme didn’t work properly, customers would make us responsible for it.”
Tech-savvy users should apparently not even consider figuring out a work-around, because T-Mobile will immediately “cut users off”.
“Those who violate their contracts can expect to have them cancelled. It’s the same with any contract. If you rent a no-pets apartment and expect no one to notice your little dog, you can’t be surprised when your landlord comes knocking.”
Skype have responded to the news in a post on the company’s blog
“This is a real shame: many other operators around the world know very well that people want to use innovative Internet applications, like Skype, and that’s the reason they pay their ISP to access the Internet in the first place. On top of that, there is no technical justification for this arbitrary blocking of Skype, and it represents a barrier to online business put in place by a private company just because they can, because they control access to the Internet.”
Ironically, Skype is currently also the most downloaded iPhone application in Germany.
Exactly the reason why I didn’t buy my iPhone at T-Mobile and imported it from Belgium instead. People should avoid those lock-in idiots and support economies where customer-protection-law actually has a meaning. (Belgium/France)
Minutes ago I was reading the iPhone contract from Orange Romania (the exclusive carrier) and I have noticed that they can: 1) not only ban specific applications, 2) but even claim damages from the client using the app.
I do think that this is totally incorrect and somebody should just start suing these companies. EU should also look into it as this is even worth than monopoly.
“because the high level of traffic would hinder our network performance”
This line is nonsense. Exactly because of this Apple specifically forbids app developers from doing VoIP over 3G/UMTS. The iPhone skype app only allows calls to be made when on a WiFi connection.
Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick.
That’s the sound of time running out for these desperate mobile carriers.
Evolve or die, you greedy morons.