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AT&T opens up network to VoIP Apps
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AT&T opens up network to VoIP apps
AT&T announced that they have open up their network to VoIP applications. In the past, all applications would only work over a Wi-Fi connection.
This is big news for users of the Skype application, which is available in the App Store. Skype is the leader in VoIP clients for mobile phones and on computers. Like all applications before it, Skype would only work over a Wi-Fi connection.
AT&T has said that it taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T's wireless network.
In allowing VoIP applications to run on the AT&T cellular voice network, AT&T has in some ways turn the public relations black eye it got when Apple prevented a Google Voice application on the AT&T iPhone. AT&T may also have stopped any subsequent FCC directives that may have intervened in the Apple and AT&T policies on network usage and applications development.
But AT&T has also opened the door to lose some voice revenues. For example, if an iPhone application allows a user to place an international destination that starts with a local AT&T connection but terminates in a distant country over the Internet through a VoIP gateway, then AT&T will have lost the international long-distance revenue for that call. However, in this example, AT&T still accrues billable local voice minutes
If the same call used an AT&T data channel to connect, then AT&T would bill data usage, although the user cost benefit may be questionable depending on what the user pays for data usage. However, if the user were to place the call using a Wi-Fi hotspot, then AT&T would not receive any revenues (unless AT&T owned the hot spot.) Furthermore, in both cases when a data network is used, the VoIP call quality will suffer given the best effort nature and variations on connection quality inherent in mobile data networks.
Here is the official announcement: AT&T today announced it has taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T's wireless network. Previously, VoIP applications on iPhone were enabled for Wi-Fi connectivity. For some time, AT&T has offered a variety of other wireless devices that enable VoIP applications on 3G, 2G and Wi-Fi networks. AT&T this afternoon informed Apple Inc. and the FCC of its decision.
In late summer, AT&T said it was taking a fresh look at VoIP capabilities on iPhone for use on AT&T's 3G network, consistent with its regular review of device features and capabilities to ensure attractive options for consumers.
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