By I wonder how restrictions like this will apply to tablet devices like the I-Pad?:
Korean telecommunications companies are moving to restrict smartphone applications from using their networks for free Internet telephony, drawing an angry response from customers who feel cheated out of their monthly data allowances.
Companies like Skype have been introducing a slew of apps that support voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), a technology that allows voice calls to be routed over the mobile Internet. Mobile-phone operators, which are desperate to see better returns on their massive investments in third-generation (3G) cellular networks, consider VoIP as a threat to their revenue.
Since August, SK Telecom, the local wireless kingpin that controls more than half of the country’s mobile-phone users, have been preventing customers signed to monthly fixed-rate plans of 45,000 won (about $39) or cheaper from using VoIP apps on its cellular network. The carrier is intent on allowing only high-volume users paying more than 55,000 won a month to use VoIP on 3G phones.
KT, the No. 2 carrier and exclusive provider of the Apple iPhones here, is now mimicking its rival, allowing only customers paying more than 55,000 won a month to use the VoIP apps on its network. LG Uplus, the country’s smallest carrier, is disconnecting VoIP apps from its cellular network entirely.
The carriers claim that the restrictions are inevitable to prevent other companies from free-riding on their networks. They say the increase in VoIP-related traffic could also put an excessive strain on their data networks. [Korea Times]
Skype service is one of the main reasons I am thinking about getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab, which it appears that in Korea the cell phone companies are trying to preempt the possible popularity of using it.
11:51 am on December 18th, 2010 1
If you follow the debate on Net Neutrality in the states and the Google-Verizon proposal while recognizing that more data traffic is moving from wired to wireless devices, this will soon be an issue in the U.S. too.
12:09 pm on December 18th, 2010 2
Sure, let all the data carriers go bankrupt due to higher costs to carry the busier signals. How's that going to help the free service like Skype in the long run? Users should pay. Nothing is free in this world. Too bad for them.
12:14 pm on December 18th, 2010 3
Just had a meeting (10 days ago) in Seoul with LGU+ about implementing a system for the LTE network that will monitor their data pipe and the sites visited. One of their concerns once they roll out LTE are services such as Skype, but contrary to what Tom says, it's not about "plugging up the pipe" as Skype uses no more bandwidth than say, listening or watching streaming music. It's because they don't want to lose revenue. So Tom, should users be limited to only listening to streaming music and visiting website approved by the carriers? That's what it will lead to if we go about looking at it from your point of view.
12:39 pm on December 18th, 2010 4
Having read the article now; what the carriers want to implement is reasonable. From the headline, I thought they were trying to block ALL access. LGU+ will follow the same route as SKT/KTF with "tiered" pricing.
1:46 pm on December 18th, 2010 5
Who flames Skype? Tom, do you work for a phone company?
9:41 pm on December 18th, 2010 6
Yeah, but if I have a 1GB a month plan why do they care if I use it for Skype or watching Youtube. Oh yeah, they want even more $$$.
1:28 am on December 19th, 2010 7
I thought the purpose of a business is to make money.
3:38 am on December 19th, 2010 8
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by GIKorea. GIKorea said: New blog post: Korean Cell Phone Carriers Look to Limit Skype Use http://rokdrop.com/2010/12/18/korea-skype-cell-phone/ [...]
10:58 am on December 19th, 2010 9
This type of debate has raged in the US for awhile now. Carriers want to be able to bill you for individual services rather then in bulk bandwidth. Goes hand in hand with them trying to force IPv6 to happen.
3:40 am on December 20th, 2010 10
#2,
Laughter is free and plentiful whenever you're around.
12:38 pm on March 31st, 2011 11
We just joined SK Telecom for home internet, because if we had 3 SK phones in our family, we get free internet at home. Unfortunately, the internet outside of Korea using SK is squelched on these free accounts. Skype will barely work, and forget about torrents (locally it's fast). Speed tests barely give me 56k speeds outside of Korea, and ping/tracert tests show the squelching is happening due to SK in Korea (under the name of Hanaro, which they now own). SK sucks. When I called to complain, they blamed the Japan disaster, but my paid SK Telecom 3G phone uses the same tracert through Hanaro and gets 3x the speed internationally. Avoid this company entirely.
2:06 pm on March 31st, 2011 12
My internet at my new school also sucks — unless I use a proxy…They told me it was because of the tsunami too, but on the first day of school, youtube and google video were completely useless – except when using a proxy…..which tells me it is a filtering issue…
3:04 pm on March 31st, 2011 13
Korea has a plan to reduce dependence on foreign Internet.
By the end of this year, most Korean Internet services, from video to search, will be close to international standards.
To assist weening the public from foreign Internet reliance and boost domestic companies, ultra-low bandwidth overseas connections are being phased in.
By this time next year, all connection
leaving the country will be at 1200 baud.
Certain companies and institutions can apply for a waiver. Mine was approved 2 weeks ago so I'm not too worried but it will suck for a lot of people.
1:01 am on April 1st, 2011 14
Ok, I found a way around this thing.
I signed up with a company called Astrill VPN and am trying a 7 day free trial. I didn't have to give them a credit card for it (but had to ask them about how to get the free trial going — they have online live help). I now am enjoying 1080p Youtube video at speeds that don't require me to wait for buffering. Skype is bullet-fast and full quality. Once I figured out how to do the settings in Astra (and how to bypass my country's connection) I entered internet heaven! Cost is about 10,000 per month and you can use the service through your phone, home, and work (but not at the same time with more than one computer).
So much for your throttling, SK!