Mobile VoIP firm complains about call blocking

UK mobile VoIP minnow Mobiboo says two of the UK's leading cellcos have blocked calls to its new service.

Leeds-based Mobiboo says both T-Mobile and 3 have blocked calls to its network, although users of Vodafone, O2 and Orange networks are still able to make calls.

In a statement on the firm's website, the mobile VoIP outfit says: "Mobile operators 3 and T-Mobile have barred their customers from calling Mobiboo 07911 phone numbers. The companies say this is because of the high charges that BT is making to them to reach Mobiboo, although we believe that this is part of the ongoing anti-VoIP campaign."

Mobiboo has only been up and running six weeks and so far has signed up about 2,800 punters. A full commercial launch of the service - which is described as Skype for mobiles - is due in September.

In statement, 3 told us that it was "committed to providing its customers with the widest choice of communications access platforms".

"Communications environments and platforms are converging and it is our job to give customers more choice to communicate with each other - 3 has agreements in place with Skype and has recently signed up with Microsoft to offer MSN and Messenger over mobile - if our customers want the service we'll aim to provide it," it said.

No one from T-Mobile was available for comment at the time of writing.

Separately, Mobiboo is expected to announce shortly that it is teaming up with Wi-Fi network The Cloud to make its mobile VoIP service more accessible. ®