Last April we covered TeliaSonera’s plans to “start exploring new business models” by charging for VoIP calls over their data networks. This drew heavy criticism from Net Neutrality activists and Telia customers alike, because for consumers it’s ridiculous to charge a fee to hop on Skype. But luckily for Swedish customers, TeliaSonera has backed down from implementing that fee.
Marketwatch reports that, “Instead, the Swedish company said it will increase data fees across the board to ‘meet customers’ growing demand for data communications.'”
The Local.se also notes:
However, in Monday’s statement Telia announced that VoIP services will continue to be included in all subscriptions, except in a completely new subscription launched on 24 September called Telia Flex Bas.
This subscription is designed for customers who primarily use traditional voice services and have limited need for data communication.
Even though these plans have been done away with, the idea that they were that close to charging for VoIP shows that there’s too little competition in the industry. Really, all we want from our carriers is for them to act like a piece of infrastructure so that better things can be built off of them. I keep hyping it, but I can’t wait for some real innovation in the carrier space like Finland’s Alekstra is planning to do.
