Vodafone Rolls Out Possible VOIP-Blocking Feature


European cell phone giant Vodafone is introducing a new content filter that could be used to block subscribers from using competitive phone services.
A Vodafone spokesman scoffs at such a notion. He said the new feature, and another content filter that the company has had in place for the last 18 months, are only to keep those underage from viewing illicit Web sites on their phones.

"We must act in a socially responsible way,"

the Vodafone spokesman said.


Blue Coat Systems of Sunnyvale, Calif., is supplying Vodafone with the filtering features. A representative didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.


Consumer and business advocates fear that Vodafone and other network operators introducing content filters have more in mind than just meeting a social or moral mandate.


The argument seems loudest among companies that provide VOIP (voice over IP), which is a means of using the Internet to make a phone call, thus avoiding having to pay traditional phone companies anything.