Apple and AT&T 'struck VoIP deal' - GoFuckYourself.com

DVTimes · 08-24-2009, 06:31 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8217871.stm

US telecoms giant AT&T has admitted that it struck a deal with Apple to prevent iPhone applications from using its network for VoIP.

VoIP allows voice calls to be routed over mobile internet but reduces a network operator's voice call revenue.

Apple and AT&T both responded to a federal inquiry into Apple's failure to approve Google Voice, a VoIP application for the iPhone.

Apple said that the app had not been rejected but is still under review.

In July, Apple rejected Google's application for the Google Voice app to be sold in its App Store, and removed several third-party applications that leveraged the same technology.

The app is already available on Blackberrys and phones that run both Google's Android and the Symbian operating system.

Apple's move prompted an inquiry from the US's Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

In AT&T's response to the FCC, the firm said that "AT&T and Apple agreed that Apple would not take affirmative steps to enable an iPhone to use AT&T's wireless service (including 2G, 3G and Wi-Fi) to make VoIP calls without first obtaining AT&T's consent".

However, it added that the firms had agreed that "if a third party enables an iPhone to make VoIP calls using AT&T's wireless service, Apple would have no obligation to take action against that third party".

AT&T argued that the deal was struck because "both parties required assurances that the revenues from the AT&T voice plans available to iPhone customers would not be reduced by enabling VoIP calling functionality on the iPhone".

In its letter to the FCC, Apple said that several VoIP applications such as Skype had already been approved for use over wi-fi wireless networks, rather than over the cellular network.

However, it added that the Google Voice app was still under scrutiny because it could "alter the iPhone's distinctive user experience", but added that Google Voice could be accessed via the iPhone's web browser.

In its reply to the FCC inquiry, Google argued that "the Google Voice features accessible by the mobile website are more limited than those features found in the App Store version".

Those features include direct access to the phone's contact list, or dialling directly from the application.

Choopa Phil · 08-24-2009, 06:49 AM

Honestly, really getting tired of hearing about ATT screwing over its customers. I switched from verizon to ATT for that very reason, and we STILL have no MMS, and now THIS. Every other network, even ones not meant for damn Iphone have it better than us with ATT. This is unreal...

Slappin Fish · 08-24-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allanuk

However, it added that the Google Voice app was still under scrutiny because it could "alter the iPhone's distinctive user experience"

This was Apple's initial response. Honestly it's insulting customers intelligence

Gerco · 08-24-2009, 07:38 AM

Seriously
ATT is fucking stupid. I'm close to just telling to take this god damned Iphone and shove it up their ass. Rumor mills spinning and the Iphone should be showing up at Verizon at some time... I'll get it there when it does.

Where I live, there is no 3g. But I get charge for the data service, they can't provide to me. I went in day before yesterday and wanted to add a second phone to my account so my wife could carry one and use up some of the minutes I have, I have something like 4000 "rollover" minutes alone. They wanted me to either 1, sigh a new 2 year service contract, plus another 300 deposit and the (sale) price of the new phone, (29 bucks) and loose my current roll over minutes. Or I could pay the 300 deposit, buy a cheap phone outright for 100 bucks, still loose my rollover minutes and pay an additional 25 bucks a month for the "family" plan. So basically, 400 bucks just so my wife could carry a phone and try to use up some of the minutes I'm already paying for and not using....

I told them to get the fuck outta here.

We are going down tonight and getting a verizon plan for my wife, and I'll cancel this piece of shit att the and take the 150 buck early disconnect fee, and see the fucking Iphone on ebay.

Serge Litehead · 08-24-2009, 09:29 AM

they provide no good reason to use these two companies personally

96ukssob · 08-24-2009, 09:33 AM

AT&T sucks, i fucking hate them. if it wasnt for the iPhone, I think AT&T would be fucked

F-U-Jimmy · 08-24-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossku69

AT&T sucks, i fucking hate them. if it wasnt for the iPhone, I think AT&T would be fucked

Quoted for absolute truth. AT&T is the devils spawn

08-24-2009, 06:31 AM	#1
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,544	Apple and AT&T 'struck VoIP deal' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8217871.stm US telecoms giant AT&T has admitted that it struck a deal with Apple to prevent iPhone applications from using its network for VoIP. VoIP allows voice calls to be routed over mobile internet but reduces a network operator's voice call revenue. Apple and AT&T both responded to a federal inquiry into Apple's failure to approve Google Voice, a VoIP application for the iPhone. Apple said that the app had not been rejected but is still under review. In July, Apple rejected Google's application for the Google Voice app to be sold in its App Store, and removed several third-party applications that leveraged the same technology. The app is already available on Blackberrys and phones that run both Google's Android and the Symbian operating system. Apple's move prompted an inquiry from the US's Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In AT&T's response to the FCC, the firm said that "AT&T and Apple agreed that Apple would not take affirmative steps to enable an iPhone to use AT&T's wireless service (including 2G, 3G and Wi-Fi) to make VoIP calls without first obtaining AT&T's consent". However, it added that the firms had agreed that "if a third party enables an iPhone to make VoIP calls using AT&T's wireless service, Apple would have no obligation to take action against that third party". AT&T argued that the deal was struck because "both parties required assurances that the revenues from the AT&T voice plans available to iPhone customers would not be reduced by enabling VoIP calling functionality on the iPhone". In its letter to the FCC, Apple said that several VoIP applications such as Skype had already been approved for use over wi-fi wireless networks, rather than over the cellular network. However, it added that the Google Voice app was still under scrutiny because it could "alter the iPhone's distinctive user experience", but added that Google Voice could be accessed via the iPhone's web browser. In its reply to the FCC inquiry, Google argued that "the Google Voice features accessible by the mobile website are more limited than those features found in the App Store version". Those features include direct access to the phone's contact list, or dialling directly from the application. __________________ The Affiliate Program

08-24-2009, 06:49 AM	#2
Choopa Phil Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3,965	Honestly, really getting tired of hearing about ATT screwing over its customers. I switched from verizon to ATT for that very reason, and we STILL have no MMS, and now THIS. Every other network, even ones not meant for damn Iphone have it better than us with ATT. This is unreal... __________________ AIM - Choopa Phil Email - [email protected] A World Wide Leader In Hosting! * CHOOPA.COM *

08-24-2009, 07:38 AM	#4
Gerco Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,052	Seriously ATT is fucking stupid. I'm close to just telling to take this god damned Iphone and shove it up their ass. Rumor mills spinning and the Iphone should be showing up at Verizon at some time... I'll get it there when it does. Where I live, there is no 3g. But I get charge for the data service, they can't provide to me. I went in day before yesterday and wanted to add a second phone to my account so my wife could carry one and use up some of the minutes I have, I have something like 4000 "rollover" minutes alone. They wanted me to either 1, sigh a new 2 year service contract, plus another 300 deposit and the (sale) price of the new phone, (29 bucks) and loose my current roll over minutes. Or I could pay the 300 deposit, buy a cheap phone outright for 100 bucks, still loose my rollover minutes and pay an additional 25 bucks a month for the "family" plan. So basically, 400 bucks just so my wife could carry a phone and try to use up some of the minutes I'm already paying for and not using.... I told them to get the fuck outta here. We are going down tonight and getting a verizon plan for my wife, and I'll cancel this piece of shit att the and take the 150 buck early disconnect fee, and see the fucking Iphone on ebay. __________________ Http://www.extremehole.com ** CLOSED ** 400 HOURS of exclusive custom extreme content, already on external HD in Raw DV ready to encode. over 150,000 exclusive images and more.

08-24-2009, 09:29 AM	#5
Serge Litehead Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Behind the scenes Posts: 5,190	they provide no good reason to use these two companies personally __________________ SilverCrocodile.com Adult web design since '05

08-24-2009, 09:33 AM	#6
96ukssob So Fucking Banananananas Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: If I was in your ass you'd know it Posts: 12,991	AT&T sucks, i fucking hate them. if it wasnt for the iPhone, I think AT&T would be fucked __________________ Email: Clicky on Me