Filtering Free: Skype Blocker to Aid Business Models

The Inquirer reports on Skype Filtering Technology, what's the name used by company Vesco for a carrier grade application that "blocks bandwidth drains such as Skype™™, P2P messaging, streaming media and instant messaging," says Vesco's press release. That's pretty nice in itself, but the interesting part is in the why?. In an interview with the Inquirer Vesco CEO Monty Bannerman is blatantly honest about the motivation behind the Skype Filter:

As a "free" service, Skype is raiding the business model of service providers that want to roll out VoIP services for their customers. "They're all telling me they hate Skype and they're telling me that they want to do something about Skype," said Bannerman in a telephone interview. "If you have something in your network that is costing you money and raiding your business model, I assure you you're going to do something about it."

Also interesting is that Bannerman argues that a lack of state regulation leaves Skype out in the open to filter. A distinction with the (minimally) regulated Vonage service is made:

Bannerman drew a distinction between the more heavily US-regulated Vonage and Skype, saying that they were "different," with Vonage required to provide E-911 service and abide by other FCC regulations, while Skype had no such state-side regulation.

One can admirer one thing about the guy: he really, really wants to sell. Not in the US due to possible future regulation prohibiting applkication bloackage, then anywere else in the world:

"The World Wide Web isn't just about America, plunk yourself anywhere else," he said. "This is a product for the world market."

It may be getting hard to Skype China if Bannerman's sales pitch works: there they may just want to filter another kind of free. That's not the gratis kind.