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German telecommunications giant T-Mobile will not allow their customers to use the new Skype application for the iPhone , the company told us on Tuesday.
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The internet telephony VoIP service Skype allows users to make telephone calls for free, or at least significantly more cheaply than traditional telephone providers. .
But unfortunately for hopeful iPhone users in Germany, having the little blue S icon on their screens wont get them any closer to affordable international calls or a quick instant message with friends, because T-Mobile, the exclusive operator for iPhones in Germany, is physically and contractually blocking its use.
Skype software for the iPhone has been the number one request among our users, Scott Durchslag, Skypes Chief Operating Officer said in a statement. There are two reasons for this because the high level of traffic would hinder our network performance, and because if the Skype programme didnt work properly, customers would make us responsible for it.
It is clearly stated in our customer contracts that such services may not be used, T-Mobile spokesperson Alexander von Schmettow told us.
The Financial Times Deutschland on Tuesday alleged that the company was blocking the software for fear of lost revenue, but Schmettow said Skype was no threat to T-Mobile, adding that they had already blocked such software for almost two years. A February agreement between Skype and Finnish company Nokia established plans to deliver future phones with Skype software already installed, and Skype software for Blackberries should be available by May.
There are signs that mobile phone manufacturers may embrace the new technology even as service providers fight it, though, the paper said.
But this acceptance comes with some reluctance.
The network providers are becoming more and more open, Skypes Scott Durchslag told the paper. O2, the only UK service provider with rights to the iPhone has also chosen to give its customers access to the new application, according to daily The Times on Tuesday. ATT in the United States is prepared to allow the use of Skype software on iPhones when calls are made via wireless internet hotspots.
We understand Skype have designed this to work solely over Wi-Fi.
We understand Skype have designed this to work solely over Wi-Fi.
But experts say blocking tech-savvy Skypers wont be easy, because web users are perpetually finding ways around restrictions.
This makes more sense for these companies because of the way the networks are structured in their countries, but not in Germany, Schmettow told us, adding that the company would not rule out allowing the application in the future. But those who violate their contracts can expect to have them cancelled.
This is true, Schmettow said. If you rent a no-pets apartment and expect no one to notice your little dog, you cant be surprised when your landlord comes knocking. Its the same with any contract.