14 DAY TRIAL // In its response letter to the FCC, Apple claims it was the sole decision maker in holding off the approval (not rejection) of the Google Voice app in the App Store. However, Apple also reveals that it and AT&T have an agreement to block VoIP apps from using the US carrier’s cellular networks, therefore VoIP apps can only use Wi-Fi on the iPhone. AT&T has provided the Federal Communications Commission with some clarification on its own.
“[...] 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. AT&T and Apple also agreed, however, 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,” an excerpt from the document reads, according to ZDNet. “The parties’ concurrence on this provision was particularly important in light of the risks the parties assumed in bringing the iPhone to market.”
“[...] The parties’ willingness and ability to assume the risk of their investments in the iPhone and of their pricing strategy were predicated, in significant part, on certain assumptions about the monthly service revenues that would be generated by iPhone users. In particular, 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. Thus, AT&T and Apple agreed that Apple would not take affirmative steps to enable an iPhone to use AT&T’s wireless service to make VoIP calls,” AT&T continues to reveal.
The provider of wireless services then goes on to explain that the prices consumers pay for the broadband-enabled iPhone 3G, for example, would likely have been higher than they are today, if this arrangement had not been made between the two parties. However, “AT&T indicated to Apple that it does not object to Apple enabling VoIP applications for the iPhone that use Wi-Fi connectivity [...] rather than AT&T’s 2G or 3G wireless data services,” the report reads on.
The US carrier also understands that the iPhone SDK enables application providers to develop VoIP applications that use the phone’s Wi-Fi capabilities and that the App Store already lists such apps as available for customers. Apple even plans “to take a fresh look at possibly authorizing VoIP capabilities on the iPhone for use on AT&T’s 3G network. AT&T will promptly update the Commission regarding any such change in its policies,” the document reveals.
So, while Google is the next in line to answer FCC’s questions, at least we know that, someday, AT&T might allow VoIP calls over its own 3G network as well.