Operators argue that filtering, blocking and slowing down (known in jargon as throttling) is necessary to allow a functioning traffic management which ultimately benefits all internet users and prevents congestion of the net.ДЄs more services migrate to the Web, operators seem to be increasingly tempted to discriminate against other services which compete with their own or do not yield much profit, effectively creating fast lanes and slow lanes for different services. By diverting traffic from VoIP services to other activities, telecoms may therefore possibly harm rivals. With its online free-call offers and cheap telephone services, Skype provides a popular alternative to telecoms operators. The main concerns вЂ“ which BEREC did not spell out but which are underlined by some sector analysts вЂ“ are that telecom companies may hamper competition on online platforms, blocking services which could rival their offers. However, the вЂњapplication-specificвЂќ approach is more common, and ultimately ends up discriminating against certain services. They can be applied with an вЂњapplication-agnostic approachвЂќ, meaning that they would not favour any specific application. One-quarter of the respondents said that their online traffic management practices are carried out on security grounds, but BEREC underlines that these measures вЂњare best described as congestion management techniques.вЂќ Peer-to-peer traffic, which allows exchange of files between Internet users, is also regularly slowed down or blocked by both fixed-line and mobile operators. The findings are the result of a survey carried out by BERECВ over several months and represents information gathered from 250 fixed-line and 150 mobile operators across Europe.Д®U regulators found that VoIP services such as Skype are mainly blocked by mobile operators. вЂњBEREC preliminary findings on traffic management practices in Europe show that blocking of VoIP traffic is common,вЂќ the group said in a statement. Mobile telecom companies regularly block voice over IP (VoIP) and prevent services such as Skype from functioning on their networks, the group that represents EU telecom regulators (BEREC) says in the preliminary findings of a much-awaited report on internet neutrality.

How to block on skype