AT&T added a new layer to the Apple-AT&T-Google Voice fiasco this weekend by firing off a letter to the FCC criticizing Google Voice for restricting calls to certain phone numbers, claiming Google should be bound to the same common carrier laws as other telecom companies.
And they are probably right.
The issue at hand are calls connecting to rural area networks, which sometimes charge a high fee to connect and disconnect from their service. Some of these rural area networks also partner with chat lines and adult chat services in order to get more calls placed to their network, thus allowing them to charge more fees.
Under common carrier laws, telecom companies are required to connect to these networks, the idea being that we should be able to place a call anywhere we want. And if Google Voice wants to get into the telephone business, they may very well have to abide by the same rules as other telecom companies.
Does AT&T have a right to be angry? Not at Google. Their anger should be aimed more at the rural networks charging the high fees and the government for not stepping in and doing anything about it. And no doubt, AT&T is using the popularity of the Google Voice fiasco to throw the spotlight on these seedy networks.
AT&T 3G MicroCell: Is this why Google Voice for the iPhone was rejected?
Should you buy a refurb iPhone 3G?
Magnify iPhone video sharing fails to deliver
More iPhone news
iPhone apps:
14 must-have iPhone apps
15 great iPhone travel apps for under $5
The best Twitter clients for the iPhone
iPhone help:
How to send free text messages
How to save iPhone battery life
How to remove iTunes duplicates
Comments