Phone
The move will make cheap calls over the Internet more convenient for iPhone customers, who have been able to use such services only when theyre within reach of wireless Internet signals. AT&T said in a statement yesterday that it has “has taken the steps necessary” so Apple Inc., maker of the iPhone, can enable the voice-over-Internet applications to run on the wireless network.
AT&T, the largest U.S. telephone company, is under pressure from a Federal Communications Commission investigation of competition in the wireless industry. The company told the FCC Aug. 21 that it hasnt allowed voice-over-Internet calling on the iPhone over its third-generation, or 3G, network, in part to guard against losing revenue to the services.
“We applaud todays announcement,” Josh Silverman, chief executive officer of Skype, said in a statement yesterday. He said customers have downloaded and installed Skype on 10 percent of all iPhone and iPod Touch devices, which “clearly demonstrates that our customers are extremely interested in taking Skype conversations with them on the go on the iPhone.”
Apple will enable the calling method “as soon as possible,” Natalie Kerris, an company spokeswoman, said in an interview.
Consumer Choice
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski commended AT&Ts move.
“Opening wireless services to greater consumer choice will drive investment and innovation in the mobile marketplace,” Genachowski said in an e-mailed statement.
The FCC is investigating whether consumers are harmed by exclusive handset deals like the one tying the iPhone to AT&T. The agency also is investigating why Apple didnt accept Google Inc.s voice application for the iPhone.
Google Voice lets customers use one phone number to get calls on multiple devices and to access voice mail. Apple told the FCC in an Aug. 21 letter its still considering the application. Google Voice wasnt part of yesterdays announcement.
Dallas-based AT&T has told the FCC it had no role in the decision on Google Voice for the iPhone. It said users can still access the Google program on their phones via the Web.
Skype, which has more than 480 million users, is being sold by San Jose, California-based EBay.