¿Why is WS Client allow url fopen Dependent?

While using WS Client module, it send out an error asking me to enable allow url fopen in the server, which is a big no-no for my customer. Is it an absolutely necessary dependency?

As far as I know, all fopen, fwrite, etc. functionality can be replaced, but I would like to know if I am doing something wrong before I engage in anything major (I have a working call to a webservice, which breaks if I turn off allow url open).

¿If it turns out it is neccesary and I work on this and I get it going would you be interested in including it in the project?