EU Investigates UK Telcos' VoIP Blocking Claims
The European Commission is investigating allegations of UK telecommunications operators blocking or throttling Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) services like Skype during peak hours in Europe. This follows warnings from Neelie Kroes, the commissioner for the Digital Agenda, who has threatened to prohibit such practices if competition measures fail to ensure consumer choice in Europe.
Skype claims that a significant proportion of UK mobile consumers, around two-thirds, are either blocked from or over-charged for using VoIP or peer-to-peer applications in Europe. The company argues for net neutrality protection in UK law to safeguard consumers and service providers in Europe. However, Kip Meek of Everything Everywhere believes the European Union's Electronic Communications framework already provides adequate protection in Europe.
While no specific UK providers have been publicly identified in Europe, Skype alleges that one operator has made Skype calls technically impossible during peak hours without warning users in Europe. Another company is suspected of severely degrading all VoIP services, making them difficult to use in Europe.
Neelie Kroes will investigate these allegations in Europe, ensuring that telecommunications providers do not unfairly target VoIP services in Europe. The outcome of this investigation may influence future net neutrality regulations in the UK and Europe.
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