It depends. Typically they'll send out their updated AGB (terms and conditions) and give you thirty days to contest the change, and again typically, this is the agreed-upon process in your contract for changes. As most people just throw those in the trash without reading them... well, they may be in the clear.

The more I think about this, the stranger it sounds. Why would Sunrise quietly alter their AGB's to ban VOIP and tethering (no press release/announcement) and then not enforce it? (at least I am still Skyping and tethering, and haven't heard of anyone actually being blocked). Actually, nobody seemed to notice/care until this blogger picked up on it nearly a year later (!!)

Technically speaking, from the network side, if you want to detect and block mifi and VOIP, it's too complicated or maybe even impossible (especially since business users are allowed VOIP/tethering, but private customers not) . The US cellular operators manage to do this because they sell only "branded" handsets pre-loaded with their own software that can block/detect VOIP and tethering. But here in Europe unbranded handsets are easy to come by, so I don't see how Sunrise could enforce this.

Altho, if you switch your SIM from a phone to a data-stick, then that can easily be detected, as the network will see the new IMEI and with a quick cross-reference can see what device it is (ie: phone or data-card)

I think it's one of two scnarios:

1- Cracking down on abuse. I hear alot of stories about places (eg. asylum centers) in CH where one guy buys a mifi-enabled phone and leaves it on 24/7 so everyone in the center can connect laptops/tablets/phones/etc. to it via wifi, so there is constantly many people downloading, VOIP-ing etc. and making a strain on the network in that area. Maybe Sunrise changed their AGB's to be able to crack down on that kind of abuse. But then they should really clarify it, so that "normal" users (like me, and most people) don't get afraid that they will lose the freedom to use their cellular connection as we always have.

2- Cash grab. Maybe Sunrise will follow suit like the US operators, and start selling their branded phones with software that disables all VOIP and tethering options, and then try to bill customers additionally for that. But that won't really work here, as I stated above, un-branded (and still subsidised) phones can be gotten from many 3rd party retailers (ie: digitec, MobileZone, etc.). So if this is their plan, it's a bad one. If Sunrise needs more cash, then just raise their rates a little. They are already dirt-cheap. Even if they raised it 5CHF/month, they'll still be the cheapest in town, and the public backlash would be less than if they try to turn themselves into a US-style operator by micro-managing their customers.

...either way, I think Sunrise really needs to give a public explanation for this change in AGB. It would be nice to see some media outlets contact the Sunrise PR department and have a more detailed explanation given (*ahem*, Geneva Lunch, are you listening? )

I guess they just want more revenue. If they ban skype then you have to make a normal phone call which is more revenue for them. Also everybody using more and more data in the network means more network infrastructure against the current network which can handle call volumes well enough already.

By allowing VoIP over 3G they are cutting their own throats.

Technically it is not really possible to enforce this. The T&C will be updated and if they see that you are doing it they can cancel your contract. But they can not stop the traffic because the ports used are not exclusive to VOIP traffic. So you can continue to Skype etc.

Anyone know if this has been implemented?

I am getting crappy performance when I use my voip phone to Denmark -even Rebtel over Wifi is rubbish.

Last week I used Google voice with video to Denmark without a hitch

Could they be throttling voip?

can i use skype and voip caller with take away's sunrise?I'm gonna subscribe the take away only for the voip.Thanks guys

someone might answer to me please?

I don't think they can cause there are too many businesses that use it for employees to contact their mother ships.

At least I was under this impression from the way my wife's company does stuff.

Oh, and welcome to the way business is done in the States. I remember thinking, when I was living over here in the CH, that it was just a matter of time before the carriers started banning things because they couldn't increase their bottom lines or it competed with services that they themselves provided. Yippee...

yes or nope it's enough.Thanks

Clearly no one knows here. Why not ask Sunrise yourself and come back here and post the answer??

nice attitude

At the moment at least it will work, as for the future, who knows??

can they block it, yep, easily, will they? no idea, the staff I have asked about it have not heard about it either, so maybe it was just a rumour?

certainly still works on my sunrise sim anyway.

thank you very much

That would be nice. Then you could warn us ahead of time.

After all the MO for companies over in the States is to just bill you for the service that you are allegedly stealing without telling you.

Might save some people a big surprise. Then think of how hip you will be to the group.