Skype, a popular internet voice service, has retaliated over calls by some "very large telecom companies" to charge bandwidth-intensive services for the privilege of running data over their Mobile Broadband networks. The move, which goes against net neutrality, could result in other sites and services like Spotify, YouTube or possibly even Facebook falling into the same trap.


The issue of network neutrality is currently being hotly debated, although much of the argument to date has centred around online video and TV content. Skype highlights how it could soon just as easily extend to all sorts of other services (we've also mentioned search engines before).

It's easy to see why mobile operators in particular might be concerned because of the incredibly low prices they're charging for Mobile Broadband access in countries such as the UK. The problem is well known, with data consumption easily outstripping meagre revenue returns. This results in limited capacity and poor speeds, forcing mobile operators to restrict traffic.

Skype has also become somewhat of a natural competitor to the mobile industry because internet calling is fast replacing the old models. Cheap internet data means cheap internet calling, which is why many mobile networks in the UK (except a couple like Three (3) UK) block it.


It's worth remembering that services, such as Spotify, might consume data but many are not huge money spinners and remain poorly placed to afford extra costs. Big mobile operators and ISPs might have an aversion to charging consumers for what they consume but many others feel it's only fair, just like paying for your gas, electricity of water supply.

Often telecom firms who suffer the most only have themselves to blame for the mess due to a long history of unrealistic marketing promises, unsustainably low prices and "unlimited" propaganda. Killing innovation in the Internet by strangling content, much of which is free, risks being counterproductive for everybody.