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mduell · Oct 6, 2009, 07:16 PM

NO WAI: Reversing a long-standing policy that prohibited VoIP applications on the iPhone from using the cellular data network, AT&T has announced today that such apps are no longer restricted to connecting over WiFi networks. The change of heart is a win for for both net neutrality and for those hoping to save on expensive international calls or save precious mobile voice minutes.

Applies to BlackBerries, etc too as far as I can tell.

Cold Warrior · Oct 6, 2009, 07:39 PM

wow, that's great.

- - e r i k - - · Oct 6, 2009, 08:13 PM

Holy crap. Let's hope international carriers follow suit.

This is probably the first good thing I have ever heard about AT&T.

turtle777 · Oct 7, 2009, 09:14 AM

So will there be a new version of Skype etc... ?

Also, would this mean that we will get Google Voice for the iPhone ?

-t

The Final Dakar · Oct 7, 2009, 09:32 AM

Funny that this should happen after the FCC starts looking into Apple.

Also, they couldn't handle MMS without a few months to reinforce the network, but this is no problem?

cmeisenzahl · Oct 7, 2009, 10:22 AM

Between this and MMS, I hope AT&T's network holds up. ;-)

The Final Dakar · Oct 7, 2009, 10:24 AM

Yes, lets hope they can hang-on to that 30% call-drop rate in NYC.

mduell · Oct 7, 2009, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Also, would this mean that we will get Google Voice for the iPhone ?

This doesn't change the Google Voice situation; GV is not VOIP.

- - e r i k - - · Oct 7, 2009, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Also, would this mean that we will get Google Voice for the iPhone ?

You can already:
Ironic Sans: The Google Voice Speed Dial Bookmarklet Generator

Oisín · Oct 7, 2009, 09:38 PM

Apart from using it for international calls, wouldn’t it normally be much more expensive to use Skype via 3G than just calling regularly?

I mean, if you use Skype via 3G, you’ll be paying the standard data fee, right? And Skype uses about 35 KB/second or something like that to make a decent connection (or is it Kbit?)? Of course, if the AT&T contracts include 10 GB of free data usage per month or something, then it’s a good deal—but do they? Over here, most of the iPhone contracts don’t include any free data usage, so you’d be paying the standard rate (usually about 10 kroner per MB) … and if 35 KB/second is sort of right, that works out to about 20 kroner per minute, or about 40 times regular calling rates.

So am I missing something here? Or is data usage just always included or much cheaper in the US?

Cold Warrior · Oct 7, 2009, 09:43 PM

Yeah, if you don't have an affordable, high-rate data plan, it's not going to be useful. Here in the US the data is 'unlimited,' which usually means 5 GB but not strictly enforced.

Dork. · Oct 7, 2009, 10:05 PM

The Consumerist claims that now that VoIP is a sanctioned option for iPhones, AT&T is letting people drop the voice plan from their accounts, so they only use (and pay for) the iPhone data plan. At least, one guy managed to do that....

At&t: Will You Try To Drop Your Voice Plan Now That There's VoIP On The iPhone?

I hate the iPhone as a phone, so I bought an iPod Touch. But I still wish I had the 3G data connection. I would definitely have bought an iPhone instead of the iPod if I could have purchased a data-only plan with it....

Phileas · Oct 7, 2009, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

And Skype uses about 35 KB/second

Between 5 and 18 kb/sec, which makes it a little cheaper. It's about 1MB/min. But you're right, you'll need a decent data plan.

mduell · Oct 8, 2009, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Dork.

The Consumerist claims that now that VoIP is a sanctioned option for iPhones, AT&T is letting people drop the voice plan from their accounts, so they only use (and pay for) the iPhone data plan. At least, one guy managed to do that....

At&t: Will You Try To Drop Your Voice Plan Now That There's VoIP On The iPhone?

I hate the iPhone as a phone, so I bought an iPod Touch. But I still wish I had the 3G data connection. I would definitely have bought an iPhone instead of the iPod if I could have purchased a data-only plan with it....

Just claim to be deaf to drop the voice part of the plan.

turtle777 · Oct 8, 2009, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

Just claim to be deaf to drop the voice part of the plan.

I can see how that call to customer service goes.

Customer: Hello? Hello? AT&T, are you hearing me? Well, I can't hear you, I'm deaf. So, please, let me drop my voice plan that I had for a couple of months. I found that it's no good for me. Instead, I just want to keep my data plan. If you agree, please raise your hand. Thank you and good bye.

-t

Oisín · Oct 8, 2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

I can see how that call to customer service goes.

Customer: Hello? Hello? AT&T, are you hearing me? Well, I can't hear you, I'm deaf. So, please, let me drop my voice plan that I had for a couple of months. I found that it's no good for me. Instead, I just want to keep my data plan. If you agree, please raise your hand. Thank you and good bye.

-t

You realise that there are phone call services available for the deaf, right?