Court instructs T-Mobile to allow Truphone calls

Truphone has won the first battle in its fight to run its VoIp service over the T-Mobile network.

Truphone launched legal proceedings when T-Mobile blocked calls to Truphone numbers over its network. Truphone claimed that T-Mobile was “preventing the launch of the Truphone service” and “abusing its dominant position”.

Deputy High Court Judge Robin Knowles QC has made an interim judgement instructing T-Mobile to route calls to Truphone numbers by Monday 23 July, to allow Truphone to provide its service while the case is heard.

Truphone claims that this is the first time interim relief has been awarded against a mobile network operator under the Competition Act.

A full hearing of the case will now be held and if Truphone loses the case, the injunction will be lifted.

The case has wider implications for the VoIP industry, as if the court rules in T-Mobile’s favour, it will open the door for other networks to prevent VoIP applications.

The eventual ruling could set a legal precedent regarding VoIP services on mobile networks.