Why is Apple blocking VoIP over 3G?
We wondered yesterday why Skype hadn't enabled Push Notifications in their latest iPhone update, and more importantly, why we couldn't use Skype, or any voice over IP service, over 3G? Peter Parkes (not Spiderman), a Skype blogger, wrote in to clarify a few things for us.
First of all, they are working on Push Notifications. It's coming. Soon.
"we’re working on this; we’ll release a version with Push notifications when the experience has been perfected."
Also, the reason they can't enable VoIP over 3G isn't a limitation by AT&T.
Many of you have also been asking when we'll release a version which allows you to make calls over 3G - the holy grail of Skype on the mobile, if you like. We've had a 3G-capable version ready for some time now, but Apple's current restrictions mean that they won't allow us to make it available on the App Store for the moment
It is Apple themselves who have blocked VoIP over 3G, not AT&T at all. But why Apple, why?
When Apple blocks a capability on the iPhone, it often means that they are cooking up something similar or have a unique way of doing it. For instance, Apple blocked video on the iPhone and iPhone 3G only to introduce it as a breakaway feature on the iPhone 3GS. Perhaps Apple has some new way of doing VoIP in the works. Remember this?
We'd like to hear your thoughts on this.
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Comments (50)
i think apple is gonna make it's own telephone network, completely independent from atnt or verizon or whoever....
does it occurs to you the some billion dollars facility they build in Tennessee years back have something to with this?
This could be crazy if apple really does this haha
Nah. The fact is that Skype doesn't have the quality for VoIP over even high bandwidth. VoIP needs low latency. Skype barely can do it over high bandwidth, Skype is hopeless with 3G.
That's just bullshit. Jailbreak your iPhone and try it. Skype works like a charm on 3G. I'm using it on a regular basis. And to be honest: it's all about the carriers. Skype on 3G is like Google Voice. It'll crash the carriers' business models.
3G unrestricter is the best non-app store app going for stuff like this. I use Skype over 3G, Shoutcast Radio, pretty much anything you're not supposed to be able to use on 3G, jailbroken people can do.
3G unrestricter is the best non-app store app going for stuff like this. I use Skype over 3G, Shoutcast Radio, pretty much anything you're not supposed to be able to use on 3G, jailbroken people can do.
It's been over a week now since Apple allowed VOIP over 3G.
Skype is noticeable by the absence of any updates, let's hope it doesn't take as long as it's taking for Nokia S60v5 devices.
In the meantime you can always use Fring on the iPhone to make VOIP calls over 3G (without jailbreaking).
Wow. The real reason is simple and it comes directly from the FCC's investigation over the rejection of the Google Voice App earlier last year:
"AT&T and Apple told the FCC that they did have an agreement that Apple would not help iPhone owners use VOIP calling services like Skype on the iPhone. VOIP calls use the data, rather than the voice plan, and would cut into the companies’ profits. Thus, Apple and AT&T agreed to cripple the Skype iPhone app so it would only work when the iPhone used a Wi-Fi connection. The companies say they also agree not to let in apps that stream live television, which AT&T says would strain its network."
So the FCC goes after AT&T and they concede publicaly in October of last year finally allowing VOIP over 3G apps to run on their data network. Now, we are just waiting for Apple to fold under pressure from the FCC but the app store is the loophole. Does the FCC have regulatory authority over how and why Apple approves applications? Again, from the case against google:
"Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail…. In addition, the iPhone user’s entire Contacts database is transferred to Google’s servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways. These factors present several new issues and questions to us that we are still pondering at this time."
It's called scratch my back and I will scratch yours. Simple. Until the friendship is broken this service will continue to be denied one way or another.
maybe apple is concerned about the total collapse of the network. biblical proportions. cats sleeping with dogs...
it would be awesome if apple integrated voip into ichat. there have been rumors of an application that integrates facebook, twitter, ichat.. it would be great timing with the tablet coming out as a way for tablet users to communicate with each other, as well as other mac and iphone owners (hence rumors of iphone os v. 4 beta). it would also be a terrific time for apple to come out with those bluetooth headphones that they have a patent for.
what rumors??? post a link...
Here's my 2¢:
They've bought spectrum & will co-sponsor/bring the masses a new data-only capable of the fastest speeds.
Apple's "server farm" in NC is going to be their telecom hub.
Apple is going to undercut Verizon & AT&T.
They'll announce this later this year.
They don't have the financial resources to build out a nationwide wireless network nor have they built any of their own towers. It's taken the four carriers years to provide the coverage (poor in many places) they have today. It's wishful thinking to believe Apple could play in this game (or want to). They could be an MVNO, but that's unlikely. All they want to do is sell hardware. Ultimately they don't care who carries the bits through the air.
I'm not suggesting that they will do this BUT it is very possible that Apple could buy Sprint (for instance) & run it as an independent business w/o skipping a beat in their other projects. Never say never. Stranger things have happened in the world of business and this sort of move would make a certain amount of sense in the larger strategic view.
Sprint is a very unlikely partner simply because their entire network is built out on CDMA which is completely incompatible with the iPhone GSM architecture. Sure, iPhone will go CDMA soon for Verizon (unless they wait and go LTE), but I don't see Sprint being in the cards for them. Not a good choice. Plus, Sprint is a mess on multiple levels and not doing well.
My guess is that Apple is just "saving" this as a feature to tout in 4.0 because, you know, you gotta have alot of bulletpoint features that should have already existed.
Apple has no intention of entering the VOIP service market unless they see Google as such a threat that they must. I hope Android does pick up steam, because probably the only way we'll see unlocked/unsubsidized no-contract iPhones in the $400-$500 range is a Google v. Apple arms race.
I couldn't agree more. I was helping my brother shop for a phone today and he was between the iPhone and the Nexus One. Surprisingly, at $530 for the unsubsidized phone and w/1000 minutes a month + unlimited text and web, the Nexus One cost $510 less than the iPhone on AT&T over 2 years!
Now, you can say T-Mobile is weak, but in the big cities it does JUST FINE.
WIth the Nexus One, as part of Android, and T-Mobile pricing might help to push us to better consumer market. Then again, I have a feeling we're all going to lose our unlimited data plans over the next year or two, unfortunately.
Anyone have thoughts on this?
I got my iPhone 3GS for $200 and currently pay $65 a month for 450 minutes and unlimited texting with AT&T. After 2 years that comes to $1760. I don't understand how everyone has these obnoxious plans. I think $65 a month is super reasonable for a 3G phone with unlimited data and texting. I have no complaints and personally think that the software UI on the Nexus is ugly as hell. Yeah, it has a few features here and there that the iPhone doesn't, but they're probably poorly implemented and once you start running a few background apps your battery will die after and hour and you won't have any phone whatsoever.
There is no way you have an iPhone with AT&T and pay $65 a month for 450 minutes and unlimited messaging.
Allow me to break down the math for you:
Data Plan for iPhone: $30.00/month
Nation 450 w/Rollover® Minutes: $39.99/month
iPhone Messaging Unlimited: $20.00/month
That's $89.99/month for the mathematically challenged.
Now, say you have a disability (no, stupidity does not count). You could qualify for a $40/month (original iPhone) or $50/month (iphone 3G/3Gs) for a Text Accessibility Plan for iPhone with unlimited Data and Messaging, but calls at $0.45/call.
I'm sure everyone here would love to see "$65 a month for 450 minutes and unlimited texting with AT&T" on their next AT&T bill.....
...So I'm calling you out to show us how we can get that.
Well I don't know about that dude, but with my AT&T iPhone 3g, I get:
... all for about $67 on my monthly AT&T bill - including taxes and fees.
Unless of course he has the plan you describe and a FAN (aka corporate discount) that takes 25% per month off his bill...like I do. $67 is close enough to $65 that I'm not going to call someone a liar over it. Also, in another forum, someone claimed to be getting a discount larger than my 25%...
As long as we have low-level but good carriers (MetroPCS) and scrappy majors (Tmobile/Sprint-Clearwire) I think it will keep pressure on Verizon and AT&T to maintain unlimited. God help us all if those carriers throw in the towel though or do not have sustained support because THEN Verizon and AT&T will drop unlimited if we have no one else to turn to.
On your first point, I would really consider switching from iPhone to Android if Google would be a bit more disruptive to the industry. I'm talking cheaper smartphones. I'm talking even cheaper service. THAT is what it will take if they want to win marketshare from iPhone and get all that juicy user data they want.
I'm in the San Fernando Valley, a major suburban area of Los Angeles. I am within a mile of two major Interstate Highways. I am also, sadly, in a T-Mobile dead zone! My T-Mobile friends have to go outside to use their phones. The T-Mobile service map for my address shows as "fair" (the worst service you can get and still be called getting service). Fair, buy T-Mobile's definition on their service map means you can make calls outside, you might be able to make calls within a car, you cannot make calls inside a building.
Given my location, which is about as major city as it gets, and the fact that T-Mobile can't even push a signal into my house suggests that even in big cities, T-Mobile does not do "JUST FINE." AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, on the other hand are all 5 bars, no dropped calls everywhere I go around town, including inside my house.
I would test drive a Nexus One if I could get a signal from T-Mobile.
quote:
"It is Apple themselves who have blocked VoIP over 3G, not AT&T at all. But why Apple, why?"
In the Apple/AT&T "marriage" only Apple, thru controlling the apps running in the iPhone, can block VoIP. So, although Apple is the "ejecutor" the devil is the telco.
OTOH, Apple could had decided by itself to block VoIP if it put ar risk the user experience or battery life or anything related complety to the charm of the iPhone.
Is it possible that this was part of the agreement that Apple and AT&T initially signed? Perhaps this is still because of AT&T and because of their initial terms, Apple still has to play the game (and take some heat).
CONTROL FREAKS!!!
Maybe they're working on a nexus one style data only phone with their own services. That would explain the voip restrictions and the google voice rejections.
yeah.. "network safty" crap! They are just so greedy for the money they agreed upon with ATT
apple never concerned about the customer's wallet!
1 Apple is always concerned about what it can get out of your wallet.
2. AT&T service sucks. THEY cannot handle the increased data usage if VOIP and other hogs are released. I went to a football game and did not have internet service to check scores like those around me.
3. I'm not in the US, give me VoIP over 3G because I'm not on a crappy carrier.
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