4 ms·

Given the obscene data rates that mobile operators charge across Europe (specifically when roaming) one can always only hope that there is a WiFi network near.

by fpp 14y ago

Given the obscene data rates that mobile operators charge across Europe (specifically when roaming) one can always only hope that there is a WiFi network near. The degrading / delaying of VoIP traffic (and other rt data traffic) does even happen with some fixed line operators in Europe - though not with Skype - they then call it P2P traffic and tell stories about file sharing etc. Had that with a provider in South-France ... if you pay us 10-times the rate we stop the fiddling with your traffic... I guess this move from TeliaSonera again shows that like with other industries self-regulatory approaches do not work at least with industries where you have regional monopolies / oligopolies, high barriers for entry and a mindset of used car salesmen (no offence) across the industry. We need to regulate this as well as the fixed line market or we're soon back at $200+ p.m. for (usable) fixed lines and similar increases for usable mobile access - they advertise fiber access here in the UK for $40 per month but give you a 5-20GB p.m. data volume (how many minutes is that good for). They call that fair use - but all those rules do of course not apply to the costly extra services they sell themselves. It's high time to regulate the mobile providers with regards to data / IP services - earlier regulations regarding roaming in Europe have shown that they otherwise do not see any limits in ripping off their customers. And someone should explain to those in charge of oversight of this industry that Cisco's promotional material (that showed exponential growth in mobile traffic and would turn all mobile provider latest next year unprofitable and is so happily cited in that industry when it comes down to regulations) is just that - promotional material to sell their network equipment and not facts.

bergie 14y ago
There was some recent EU regulation for reducing data roaming costs, that should eventually help. With 3G so popular, public WiFi access points have become very rare I'm currently a TeliaSonera customer in Finland, and have been since mid-90s. But such dirty tricks make me strongly consider switching away.
- fpp 14y ago
  In some parts of Europe you might already using WiFi when doing data traffic via 3G (and charged at 3G rates) - mobile operators have been going into wholesale agreements with WiFi networks since some time or have started to build their own WiFi networks. You're right public / open WiFi access is now rather rare (to limit anonymous access) - but many restaurants / bars / pubs etc do provide free access (suggested use of a VPN here). And there are by now quite a few WiFi providers that provide WiFi subscription with international access. A positive exception from extra-charging is BT (in the UK) that provide you unlimited WiFi access across the country and free international with the FON network (and at reduced rates with other European providers). You have to be a BT fixed line subscriber for that free access. You can see a map of global FON WiFi coverage at http://maps.fon.com/ http://maps.fon.com/
mseebach 14y ago
You're mixing concerns when you bring in roaming. It's really a different beast, not very liberalised, so old, entrenched more-or-less monopolies control this and disrupting is difficult. As for fixed lines, there's a reasonable amount of competition. Multiple providers give you affordable, uncapped connections for well under $200 (I pay £22.50/month). Unfortunately, they've got traffic shaping in effect in "prime time" which is a bit annoying, but I can get an unshaped connection for £32/month from another provider, so I'll switch when my current contract expires. As for mobile, my current provider has uncapped mobile usage (I don't know how they'll detect if I connect a laptop, but that's the terms) for £10/month. I haven't tried doing VoIP over it, and don't really care, although Skype happily logs in.

by fpp 14y ago

bergie 14y ago

There was some recent EU regulation for reducing data roaming costs, that should eventually help. With 3G so popular, public WiFi access points have become very rare I'm currently a TeliaSonera customer in Finland, and have been since mid-90s. But such dirty tricks make me strongly consider switching away.

fpp 14y ago
In some parts of Europe you might already using WiFi when doing data traffic via 3G (and charged at 3G rates) - mobile operators have been going into wholesale agreements with WiFi networks since some time or have started to build their own WiFi networks. You're right public / open WiFi access is now rather rare (to limit anonymous access) - but many restaurants / bars / pubs etc do provide free access (suggested use of a VPN here). And there are by now quite a few WiFi providers that provide WiFi subscription with international access. A positive exception from extra-charging is BT (in the UK) that provide you unlimited WiFi access across the country and free international with the FON network (and at reduced rates with other European providers). You have to be a BT fixed line subscriber for that free access. You can see a map of global FON WiFi coverage at http://maps.fon.com/ http://maps.fon.com/

mseebach 14y ago

You're mixing concerns when you bring in roaming. It's really a different beast, not very liberalised, so old, entrenched more-or-less monopolies control this and disrupting is difficult. As for fixed lines, there's a reasonable amount of competition. Multiple providers give you affordable, uncapped connections for well under $200 (I pay £22.50/month). Unfortunately, they've got traffic shaping in effect in "prime time" which is a bit annoying, but I can get an unshaped connection for £32/month from another provider, so I'll switch when my current contract expires. As for mobile, my current provider has uncapped mobile usage (I don't know how they'll detect if I connect a laptop, but that's the terms) for £10/month. I haven't tried doing VoIP over it, and don't really care, although Skype happily logs in.