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FCC Probing Apple, AT&T Rejection of Google Voice

Posted by Soulskill on from the now-you've-done-it dept.

suraj.sun writes with an update to the news from a few days ago about Apple pulling Google Voice apps for the iPhone. Their actions have raised the interest of the FCC, which is now beginning an investigation into the matter. "In a letter sent to Apple, the FCC asked the company why it turned down Google Voice for the iPhone and pulled several other Google Voice-related programs from the iPhone's only sanctioned online mart. The FCC also sent similar letters to both AT&T — Apple's exclusive carrier partner in the US — and Google, asking both firms to provide more information on the issue. The FCC's letter asked Apple whether it rejected Google Voice and dumped other applications on its own, or 'in consultation with AT&T,' and if the latter, to describe the conversations the partners had. In other questions, the FCC asked Apple whether AT&T has any role in the approval of iPhone applications, wants the company to explain how Google Voice differs from any other VoIP software that has been approved, and requested a list of all applications that have been rejected and why."

6 of 204 comments (clear)

  1. Has Apple ever taken a position on net neutrality? by lseltzer · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Just askin'

  2. Re:How is this even a fucking question? by that+this+is+not+und · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Another word for 'dumb pipe' is Common Carrier. A role they need to start taking more seriously.

  3. Re:How is this even a fucking question? by teknopurge · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Wal-Mart is who they are not because they are cheap, but because they were able to refine their logistics. All of their distribution is in-house, which is how they were able to move volume, and subsequently able to squeeze vendors on pricing. It's important to note that the vendor squeezing came later, and it was the innovation in the supply chain that made Wal-Mart what it is today. It's cause->effect, not the other way around.

    Want ATT to be like Wal-Mart? They need to innovate their internals first before they become a dumb pipe.

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  4. Re:Apple is going join ...? by E+IS+mC(Square) · · Score: 3, Interesting

    But you can still be anti-competitive.

  5. As an Apple fan by earthbound+kid · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...and as an iPhone owner, I say:

    Good. I hope that the Feds can scare Apple into opening up the iPhone a little more. I think anyone who owns an iPhone should be on the side of the Feds on this one.

    Here's a suggestion for Apple though, why not a two track system for iPhone apps: You can install whatever you like *as long as it doesn't use the cell-network* or you can install specially reviewed apps through the iTunes store, as is done now. That way if someone just wants to sell a game or a screensaver or whatever, they can just sell it themselves without having to get permission from Apple. On the other hand, things that use the cell-network and could potentially overload it or be used for phreaker attacks or whatever can be reviewed by Apple as is done now. Reducing the volume of things reviewed by Apple should make the process a lot less painful for developers and give users a lot more freedom.

  6. in unrelated news, MS Strategist / FCC director by SgtChaireBourne · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This investigation has been brought to you by Google.

    And in unrelated news, Bill Gate's assistant and strategist and MS exec for 13 years has been appointed managing director of the FCC.

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