Nokia Launches VoIP Blocker Nokia is launching a platform which defies the so-called Net-Neutrality by enabling operators to block specific types of data services, namely peer to peer file sharing and VoIP calls. The centralized solution is implemented as a software upgrade to the Nokia Flexi Intelligent Service Node (ISN) and will be commercially available during the first half of 2007. "With the explosion of affordable high-speed mobile data access, operators are now being challenged to make the best possible use of their networks, especially when peer-to-peer applications increase their traffic load and compete with their own services," says Roberto Loiola, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Networks, Nokia. "The Nokia Peer-to-peer Traffic Control solution now gives operators the means to analyse and manage such traffic. It allows them to apply their business models by prioritizing the traffic of preferred services and partners, maximize their return on network investment, and avoid becoming only bit pipes for other content providers." The Nokia Peer-to-peer Traffic Control solution enhances the service, subscriber, and access awareness capabilities of the Nokia Flexi ISN to identify data traffic according to the type of service, for example file sharing, so that operators can treat that traffic in a way that best optimizes the use of network resources according to the operators' business strategy. www.cellular-news.com/story/20594.php
This problem is very easy to solve. The solution is don't buy a Nokia phone with the Flexi ISN. if sufficient consumers vote against this with their wallets, Nokia will drop this particular bad idea. :nono:
Why would Nokia develope this? When most of the talk these days is mostly about how providers are trying to make VOIP work on their networks in the future.
I thought this was a Network deal vs a phone program. If this is a phone software/firmware design, then your right buy other manufactures phones.
This is not a phone-based product. It is something network operators implement on their networks. So it is not very easy to solve because it doesn't matter which phone consumers have. There are already tons of products available for IP based networks that will block certain services from the network side, namely VoIP.
I had assumed that this was related to WiFi handsets. So this only involves VOIP and file sharing over 3G networks?
It appears that this Nokia product only blocks VoIP. Remember that VoIP doesn't have to go through WiFi. You can use a 3G smartphone and run the mobile version of Skype and use VoIP for cheap international calls over HSDPA/EVDO and that would be VoIP too. But there are products that will block anything you want on an IP network, such as P2P file sharing, torrents, video/audio streaming, remote desktop, etc. Actually, I think the whole thing is a bad idea. It goes against the net-neutrality concept. Just imagine if your telephone company prohibited you from playing music through your phone's microphone because only talking is allowed.
Correct, my VoIP uses a Telephone adaptor wired to my phone, my WiFi comes in after the T/A. As for your point about going against Net Neutrality, that's an excellent point & something I didn't think about, and I believe Nokia is for Net Neutrality, Could be a reason for a law suit if they ever figure out the whole Net Neutrality issue.
