FCC investigating Google Voice App Store ban, lesson for TRAI and DOT?
August 1st, 2009 by Annkur
Apple and AT&T have been really nasty with apps that competes / tests either of the two companies own services. Even the VOIP applications on the App Store like Skype cannot use the AT&T’s 3G network to make calls. Such a policy has been put in place to protect ATT’s limited 3G capacity. Given that there are millions of iPhone users registered with ATT, any app that Apple approves on the AppStore can affect AT&T’s business or put its 3G network to test. The most recent app to be banned from the App Store is the Google Voice.
Google Voice assigns a single phone number to a user’s cellphone, land line or Internet phone accounts. It also allows free text messaging and inexpensive international calls. This makes the subscriber completely independent of the carrier. And precisely for this reason Apple has banned the Google Voice app from its App Store (to safeguard AT&T’s interests?).
However now the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) seeks explanation from Apple, Goole and AT&T on this case. FCC’s letter questions Apple on the criteria for rejection of Apps and at the same time it also asks for details of all developers whose apps (related to Google Voice) have been rejected/baned by Apple. AT&T has been questioned if it had influenced Apple’s decision to ban Google Voice from the App Store. Google has been asked to provide the details of its Voice and other apps on the app store. (Copies of letters at TechCrunch)
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said the FCC “has a mission to foster a competitive wireless marketplace, protect and empower consumers, and promote innovation and investment.” The inquiry letters “reflect the Commission’s proactive approach to getting the facts and data necessary to make the best policy decisions.”
This time Apple sure has a multi-billionaire developer to face off!
On a sidenote, while we in India are yet to see any much carrier/manufacture tieups. This case is a good example for TRAI (Telephone regulatory authority of India) and DOT (Department of Telecom) to start implementing rules for mobile applications and contract phones.
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Categories: Apple, Google, Softwares, Tech Industry News | Tags: app store, apps tore, att vs google, fcc, google voice, google voice iphone app, google vs apple, iphone, iphone app
[...] Google Voice assigns a single phone number to a user’s cellphone, land line or Internet phone accounts. It also allows free text messaging and inexpensive international calls. This makes the subscriber completely independent of the carrier. And precisely for this reason Apple has banned the Google Voice app from its App Store (to safeguard AT&T’s interests?). [Only Gizmos] [...]
[...] for the same) and things weren’t too far recently with Google announcing the Chrome OS and Apple taking down Google Voice App from the App [...]
Hii Ankur ,
nice of ur thought to alow contract phones in INdia , but the circumstances in India dont allow tht .
1. A credit check is done on each and every person before they are given in a contract phone in UK and uS. and still many of our brothers and sisters living ther jus cancel thier contract and run to india.
2. If this happened in india , wher we have to concrte credit checking system, it wil surely be a loss to all the companies. as is happend some years back when reilance launched phones on instalments.
Hi Srikant, Nice to hear from you.
India is indeed far from contract phones, but in terms of mobile VAS things are progressing. I feel Trai and Dot should take some steps early on to ensure that the consumer isn’t arm twisted by manufacturers+service providers.
Cheers
Annkur