China blocks Skype web phone service

This was bound to come. Skype is not only threatening incumbent fixed-line and mobile phone companies through their free Internet telephony. Additionally, they are somewhat uncontrollable, since it is easy to link up with anybody who also has Skype installed on their computer. What country comes to mind when you think about control? China.

Now, "local arm of China Telecom, the country's biggest fixed-line telecommunications operator, has moved to block access to a computer-to-telephone call service offered internationally by Skype", even so "Beijing has tolerated computer-to-computer internet telephony while seeking to limit VoIP services that more directly challenge the fixed-line operators."

(By Asia Business Consulting)