AT&T to permit Skype, Google Voice on its 3G network, iPhone follows?

Jonny Evans
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October 06, 2009
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Gosh, this is unexpected. Rumours are emerging this afternoon which claim AT&T may be preparing to announce support for Skype and Google Voice calls over its network.

That’s what the Washington Post is claiming, citing industry sources “close to the thinking of AT&T executives” (which we hope doesn’t mean psychiatrists or seers) who are making these claims.

If these claims are true then it’s possible we’ll be hearing news of support for the VoIP services over AT&T’s network as soon as Wednesday, when the carrier is expected to make some kind of splash at the CTIA Conference.

This news of course comes on the heels of the Google Android-Verizon announcement where Verizon announces it will be open to Google Voice on its network.

The report claims executives have been thinking about making the move “for weeks”, and the new VoIP glasnost will extend to all phones, including the iPhone.

A decision hasn’t been officially announced and AT&T won’t comment on the claims, saying it’s Apple’s decision as to whether it will permit Skype, Google Voice or other VoIP apps on the iPhone.

These moves emerge as the brouhaha over Google Voice continues, with Apple claiming it continues to evaluate VoIP apps on the iPhone (does anyone else ever wonder if there’s an iChat connection to all this?)

Net neutrality and the need to follow open policies when it comes to network use are also likely to be informing AT&T thinking.

We wonder what Apple will do should AT&T permit VoIP calling over its network?

Comments (14)

9to5Mac Noob in NYC (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 10:11am

Funny what a little government inquiry can do to speed up corporate policy "re-think." Better to allow what probably is a violation in restriction versus continue to have the FCC sticking its nose up under the tent -- one never knows what they might find.

Dave Park | October 06, 2009 - 10:16am

 I know this is Apple's department, not AT&T's, but can Apple enable full bluetooth profiles on the iPod Touch so we can use it for VoIP with a bluetooth headset?

 

Cheers!

9to5Mac Bitter Noob (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 10:26am

I wonder if it's from the competition with Verizon. ATT has to acknowledge Verizon has a better network and fight back somehow. Skype basically means unlimited minutes!

Alex (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 11:03am

Ludicrous to think that with AT&T having the sole US rights to such an advanced device (iphone) it takes VZW to scare them into a semi-forward thinking mindset (permitting voip over 3g.)

Also thanks for mentioning ichat....been asking myself since the phone came out why the hell ichat isn't one of the stock apps?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 11:25am

This is quite logical actually. AT&T will get fewer dropped calls as people will be calling using Skype. AT&T still gets revenue from the data plan but does not get blamed for low call quality
Not to mention the improvement in image this will make.

It's a win-win for AT&T if you look at the big picture

NIkolay Andreev (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 11:27am

This is quite logical actually. AT&T will get fewer dropped calls as people will be calling using Skype or Vonage. AT&T still gets revenue from the data plan but does not get blamed for low call quality.
Not to mention the improvement in image this will make.

It's a win-win for AT&T if you look at the big picture. They should not have banned this in the first place.

NIkolay Andreev (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 11:28am

This is quite logical actually. AT&T will get fewer dropped calls as people will be calling using Skype or Vonage. AT&T still gets revenue from the data plan but does not get blamed for low call quality.
Not to mention the improvement in image this will make.

It's a win-win for AT&T if you look at the big picture. They should not have banned this in the first place.

NIkolay Andreev (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 11:30am

This is quite logical actually. AT&T will get fewer dropped calls as people will be calling using Skype or Vonage. AT&T still gets revenue from the data plan but does not get blamed for low call quality.
Not to mention the improvement in image this will make.

It's a win-win for AT&T if you look at the big picture. They should not have banned this in the first place.

Brasso (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 11:44am

"Apple signs agreement to sell iPhone through Sprint and Verizon" full story at 10:00!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 12:56pm

go make fool out of your self elsewhere!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 12:11pm

Just give me Skype on 3G!
sad that AT&T block should affect the rest of the iPhone countries >_<

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 12:49pm

People just don't get what Google Voice is. Its not VOIP. It works right now on the iPhone (go to voice.google.com from Mobile Safari). AT&T don't block Google Voice usage, the only thing that is currently blocked is Google Voice apps on the App Store. I have GV Mobile (before it got pulled) and it doesn't do anything more than the Google Voice website does, its just a more friendly user interface.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 06, 2009 - 1:55pm

It's official. ATT released news this afternoon.

Chris R (not verified) | October 07, 2009 - 1:23pm

this is great news and a big win for consumers. now we just need to get net neutrality passed.