Skype has asked European policymakers to implement policies that let consumers access their services through smart phones on any public network.
"Blocking of voice applications on mobile devices, such as the announcement of T-Mobile to block Skype on iPhones in Germany, is highly detrimental for consumer welfare in Europe," VON said in a statement. T-Mobile is the exclusive carrier of Apple's iPhone in Germany.
The Voice on the Net (VON) coalition, Europe, includes Google, Microsoft, and Intel, who have been hearing arguments from the VoIP Internet telephone unit of eBay Inc which claims carriers are blocking their applications on their cellular or 3G networks, in turn limiting consumer choice.
The appeal was sparked by news that German mobile operator T-Mobile, the wireless unit of Deutsche Telekom did not allow customers to use the Skype application on the iPhone.
Carriers have the ability to block Skype on their networks however they cannot distinguish whether customers are using Skype through a Wi-Fi link, a person familiar with the matter said.
"Essentially, you can use Skype via Wi-Fi on a T-Mobile iPhone," the person said. "I have tried, it works."
In Europe, T-Mobile blocks Skype on its network, saying that the high level of traffic would hinder network performance.
Skype's iPhone application can be downloaded through the Apple application store on iPhones and allows free calls between Skype users. The desktop version of Skype will still be charged for calls to traditional phones.
The company announced that in May it will launch Skype for Research In Motion's BlackBerry, the devices which popularized mobile email.
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