AT & T prohibits squelching Google Voice for iPhone
AT & T told federal regulators on Friday that he had not played in Apple’s decision to maintain the Google Voice applications from App Store, but Apple says that it has never rejected the application.
In response to a request from the Federal Communications Commission, AT & T to Jim Cicconi, senior executive vice president for external and legislative affairs, told the agency “, let me say unequivocally: AT & T does not have any role in the decision not Apple Google Voice accept the application for inclusion in Annex Apple Store “.
Google Voice, which lets users receive calls on a phone number in several places and make cheap international calls, was found unfit for the App Store inclusion in July, after she was released on BlackBerry smartphones, and Android. A few days after the story broke, it requested the FCC, that AT & T, Apple and Google all the comments that led to the exclusion of Google Voice.
Apple, for its part, argued that the application was never actually rejected. “Despite the published reports, Apple is not Google Voice refused and continues to study it. Application has been approved, because it seemed to consider how to change the distinctive iPhone users, replacing the iPhone mobile phone Apple core functionality and user interface with its own user interface for phone calls, text messages and voice mail, “Apple says in a statement.
Google has also filed a letter in response to the request, but the FCC redacted much of the letter, when the allocation to the media. A PDF copy can be found here.
Suspicion immediately fell on the AT & T after, Google Voice applications do not do it through the approval process, based on the fact that the application allows users to bypass the hefty rates for international calls. AT & T is also for any delay or rejection of a number of other applications that can impose an additional burden on their networks, such as Sling Media SlingPlayer Mobile applications.
But AT & T says that he has little influence on the approval process.
“AT & T was not asked about Apple issue at any time, and we do not propose any opinion one way or the other. In a broader sense, AT & T does not own, operate or control the App Apple Store, and is not tend to consult on the approval or rejection of application for the App Store or informed when the application is approved or rejected, “Cicconi said in a letter to a PDF copy of which can be found here.
Nevertheless, Apple said that it was not like AT & T is an innocent observer.
“There is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT & T, which Apple is not obliged to include the function of any phone Apple, which allows customers to use AT & T cellular network service occurring or terminate VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) session without obtaining AT & T approval. Apple honors the obligation, in addition to respecting the AT & T Customer service conditions, for example, to prohibit AT & T customer using AT & T cellular route TV signals in the iPhone. From time to time, AT & T expressed concern about the effectiveness of the network and the network capacity associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into account, “Apple said in its statement.
Skype, perhaps the most well-known VoIP services, seized upon the participation in the AT & T in the letter, which promised to review the policy in respect of VoIP applications that work on a network of 3G, as an encouraging sign that Skype will soon be allowed to work in cellular networks.
“We commend AT & T readiness to take a fresh look at the possibility of authorizing VoIP on iPhone for AT & T 3G network in the” Skype said by e-mail to journalists. “Skype hopes that this is a step forward to ensure that users can use Skype with their iPhones and 3G communications and look forward to hearing more about any potential changes to the AT & T in politics, in connection with the pending FCC proceedings related to petition Skype “.
With regard to Google, for its part, his decision to redact key part of his letter to the FCC will raise many eyebrows. The company asked the FCC to redact a portion of their response to FCC because “in the wording of the information relates specifically to private business negotiations between Apple and Google, and, as such, it is commercially sensitive information”, which traditionally would be protected from the competition .. . Internet service industry is very competitive, and edited the material relates to the activities and operations of Google, may require protection from disclosure in accordance with the rules of the Commission, “Google said in a letter to the FCC with a request for confidential treatment.
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Tags: Apple, applications, AT&T, FCC, Google, Google Voice, iPhone
