Skype's iPhone App: Open-Internet Advocacy Group asks FCC to Investigate Restriction Imposed on VOiP Calls over 3G - iPhone Hacks

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

If this is indeed what Open-net said to the FCC, they are not  
presenting the best case. I have no love for Apple/AT&T iPhone's   
behavior . djf


http://www.iphonehacks.com/2009/04/skypes-iphone-app-openinternet-advocacy-group-asks-fcc-to-investigate-restriction-imposed-on-voip-ca.html#more


Skype's iPhone App: Open-Internet Advocacy Group asks FCC to  
Investigate Restriction Imposed on VOiP Calls over 3G

Skype's iPhone app which was released last week is probably the best  
VOiP app I have used. However, the problem with it (if you haven't  
jailbroken your iPhone) is that like other VOiP iPhone apps, you can  
only use it to make calls over Wi-Fi due to limitation of iPhone's SDK.

Free Press, an open-internet advocacy group has asked Federal  
Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate whether Apple and AT&T  
are violating federal rules by limiting use of Skype's iPhone apponly  
over Wi-Fi.

Skype's iPhoneapp has been extremely popular on the App Store.Skype  
announcedon their blog that Skype for iPhone was download more than  
one million times from the App Store in just two days.

However, due to limitations of iPhone's SDK it's not possible to make  
VOiP callsover a data network.

Free Press, the open-internet advocacy group that has a history of  
attacking efforts by cable and wireless by cable and wireless  
companies to prevent customers from using bandwidth-hogging services  
like file-sharing etc has asked Federal Communications Commission to  
investigate whether Apple and AT&T are violating federal rules by  
limiting use of Skype's iPhone app only over Wi-Fi.

Chris Riley, policy counsel for Press Press stated:

"Wireless broadband networks cannot become a safe haven for  
discrimination"

"The Internet in your pocket should be just as free and open as  
theInternet in your home. The FCC must make it crystal clear that a  
closed Internet will not be tolerated on any platform."
Skype has welcomed the move. Christopher Libertelli, Senior Director  
of Government and Regulatory affairs for Skype had this to say:

"Consumers should be entitled to use the products they pay for as they  
see fit, so long as they do not harm the network"
Apple declined to comment while AT&T spokesperson said they don't  
block Skype:

"Customers are free to download and use the apps they want, but we  
have no obligation—nor should we have—to facilitate or subsidize our  
competitors' businesses"
The restriction to make VOiP calls only over Wi-Fi isn't only limited  
to U.S. It was reported that Deutsche Telekom, Apple's carrier partner  
in Germany and some European countries might prevent its T-Mobile  
iPhone customers from using Skype's iPhone app even on their Wi-Fi  
networks.

Currently the only way to make VOiP calls over data networks is to  
installVOiPover3G app on a jailbroken iPhone, but the solution is only  
available tousers who are technically inclined to hack their iPhone.

It will be interesting to see what's the outcome of FCC's  
investigation. WSJ believes:

"With a Democratic administration in charge at the FCC, the views of  
open-network advocates could get a more sympathetic hearing. President  
Obama announced his support for net neutrality, or the idea that all  
Internet traffic should be treated equally, during the campaign. The  
president's choice for FCC chairman, Julius Genachowski, is also a net  
neutrality supporter."

As always, please let us know what you think in the comments section  
below.

[WSJ via AppleInsider]

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Posted by iPhoneHacks on April 5, 2009 in iPhone News, iPhone 3G News | 
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Technorati Tags: App Store, Apple, FCC, Free Press, iPhone, iPhone  
Apps,iPhone News, Skpe for iPhone, Skype, Skype

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