VoIP Backlash From Phone Companies

denis-The-menace writes "An article from the online edition of IEEE Spectrum says phone companies in France, Germany, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have announced they will block VoIP calls on their networks. Using new software from Narus Inc., the carriers can detect data packets belonging to VoIP applications and block the calls. Gotta love Ma Bell." From the article: "Narus's software does far more than just frustrate Skype users. It can also diagnose, and react to, denial-of-service attacks and dangerous viruses and worms as they wiggle through a network. It makes possible digital wiretaps, a capability that carriers are required by law to have. However, these positive applications for Narus's software may not be enough to make Internet users warm to its use. 'Protecting its network is a legitimate thing for a carrier to do ... But it's another thing for a Comcast to charge more if I use my own TiVo instead of the personal video recorder they provide, or for Time Warner, which owns CNN, to charge a premium if I want to watch Fox News on my computer.'"

Comments

Re:BS

[Morky]

Uh, he watches Fox News. 'Nuff said.

Can we make a 1st amendment exception?

[hellfire]

or for Time Warner, which owns CNN, to charge a premium if I want to watch Fox News on my computer.

That may not necessarily be a bad thing. Anything that keeps idiots from watching people who take advantage of idiots is fine by me.

Who cares!

[Treacle Treatment]

Fuck France, Germany, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. I never call there anyway nor would I want to!