Ready to pay extra for Skype, IM

What happens when a major mobile operator gets tired of people ditching voice calls and text messages for cheaper Skype calls and instant messaging? It just blocks those services and charges a monthly fee to access them.

It has long been clear that Internet providers, especially in mobile, would much prefer offering pay TV-style "packages" or services in other words than one-price access to an Internet data pipe. "Want access to Facebook? Ah, that's part of our 'premium gold' plan."

Dominant Dutch wireline and mobile provider KPN, which offers services across Western Europe, has taken the idea to heart. The company has just announced plans to charge mobile phone users separate fees for using voice-over-IP services like Skype, instant messaging programs, and streaming video. Specific new rate plans haven't but been announced.

"Services just as browsing, using mobile VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), instant messaging and watching videos will get their own price tag, such as it is now with calling and sending an SMS," a company spokesperson told Dutch site Tweakers.net. The story has been widely covered this week in the Dutch-language press, with KPN being unusually direct about what it's doing and why.

With SMS and voice calls declining, KPN has decided that differential rates for Internet services will help it maintain current revenue levels. Dutch regulator OPTA has already said openly that it's fine with the move, so long as KPN is transparent about how it charges. Actually, an OPTA spokesperson said she would "cheer such a development," since it provides more choice for consumers to put at the same time a subscription package that meets their needs.

The end of 2011

At the end of 2011, I will present the findings and will openly name operators engaging in doubtful practices. I will be looking particularly closely for any instances of unannounced blocking or throttling of certain types of traffic, and any misleading advertising of broadband speeds. If I am not satisfied that consumers can counteract such practices by switching providers, I will not hesitate to introduce more stringent measures…

Mark my words: if measures to enhance competition are not enough to bring Internet providers to offer real consumer choice, I am ready to prohibit the blocking of lawful services or applications. It's not OK for Skype and other such services to be throttled. In other words anti-competitive.