China makes another move. After limiting the duration of online multiplayer game, now China Telekom, the largest fixed-line operator in China, is trying to block VoIP which offers by some popular service. VoIP lets people use internet to make phone calls all over the world, thus giving cheaper rate than normal phone calls.

Skype is one of the VoIP service which will be affected by this decision. The free internet phone and instant messenger’s service from Skype Technologies SA is one of the most popular VoIP service in the world, including China. Skype can also be used to call land lines for a fee.

With its cheaper, people more likely to use VoIP internet phone service rather than fixed-line phone operators. That’s why China Telekom is trying to prevent users in China from logging on to Skype’s server, the newspaper Beijing Business Today reported on its Web site.

Furthermore, if someone is making a phone call over a China Telecom broadband connection, it will be disconnected automatically as the company will also monitor and control online data volume.

China Telecom expects these controls will be ready in 2006 or 2007.

[ Source ]