AT&T Is Not Happy About Skype For The iPhone
Joe M posted in opinion on April 7th, 2009
I found a story today on Google News and MocoNews about some hoopla regarding Apple’s iPhone.
It seems Skype has been ported to an application for the iPhone.
This has AT&T up in arms.
The iPhone has some broadband internet capabilities. Users can surf the internet or make a call.
If they make a call, normally the design of the iPhone utilizes the AT&T carrier network.
That allows AT&T to charge for the call (which actually may be in monthly fees.)
A Skype application allows the user to make a call using VOIP (Voice Over IP).
VOIP essentially is a technology in which the call is translated into internet packets, and uses an internet connection instead of a telecom for the call.
The interesting part is, how far will the FCC allow AT&T to go in stopping VOIP traffic from an iPhone over a broadband connection?
AT&T openly admits that they perceive the right to distinguish VOIP traffic and treat it as they see fit.
If they see it as cutting into their bottom line, they could require Apple to disable the app or remove it from the app store.
They also could block VOIP traffic coming through their broadband network from the iPhone, or through any other portion if they desire.
This is probably going to get interesting in the coming months.
AT&T has a great deal of clout, and the issue may become heated, or it could become even more than that.
This is definitely one to watch.
April 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
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