Blocking VoIP Calls: Foreboding Harbinger or Benign Fluke?

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Blocking VoIP Calls: Foreboding Harbinger or Benign Fluke?
The nation of Qatar has already started cracking down on what it calls "illegal VoIP" (Voice over IP) and there are signs that this trend is spreading as some U.S. carriers have already attempted to block voice traffic, citing it as unfair competition. I personally don't see what's unfair about using technological innovation to provide the same service at a lower cost, but then I have maintained that the global business ennvironment has long since ceased to be based on the principle of free competititon and now relies on cartel, copyright, patent and trade legislation to support otherwise unprofitable business methods. More...