[Mugunth]

Why is Skype/Fring not yet releasing their App to work over 3G?
Now that I can tether my iPhone to Mac, who can prevent me from making a VOIP call using my Mac?

Is Apple still rejecting VOIP over 3G apps?

[Brickman]

Well, if you think about it. AT&T is a phone company. They do still make money off of people placing calls on their network. I do not think that they built out their network so that we could place free calls through Skype (or others) on it. I realize that we are paying for data, but could you imagine how flooded their network would be if they allowed this. I mean we are already waiting on MMS because they can not handle it.

[Behshad]

You can make free calls from Skype to Skype using iphone

[sting7k]

You can make free calls from Skype to Skype using iphone

On Wifi yes but not 3G with the official Skype app. Allowing full Skype would probably kill AT&T's already flaky (in some locations) 3G network. Plus as a phone service company they want you too use their calling network.

I can see the argument though, at least for AT&T, that you are still required to have the voice plan anyway. Your paying for your minutes and they are getting the money. Why would they care if you never use them and use Skype or VOIP service instead of their calling minutes. Bringing the network down is probably their only reason.

[Mugunth]

One thing I can understand from this is Apple + AT&T is a bigger monopoly than M$.
M$ chucked out Netscape
Apple + AT&T planning to do the same for Skype and other SIP operators...

[sting7k]

What exactly are Apple and AT&T monopolizing that will harm Skype? Microsoft had a direct competitor to Netscape via IE.

[whmurray]

What exactly are Apple and AT&T monopolizing that will harm Skype? Microsoft had a direct competitor to Netscape via IE.

What we know is that AT&T restricts services on the iPhone that it permits/supports/promotes on other phones.

[whmurray]

Why is Skype/Fring not yet releasing their App to work over 3G?
..........

Because Apple/AT&T control the distribution channel and resist it.

[sting7k]

I've never seen an AT&T that promotes Skype.

[whmurray]

the new Call Global app is free to download and the rates are cheaper than skype in most cases and uses the 3g network instead of wifi !
you can find the app in the itunes store or at callglobalapp dot com

Cheaper international calls than AT&T but this app uses AT&T minutes. It uses cellular to reach an alternate International carrier. It does not require access to WiFi but neither does it exploit it when it is available. Solves some of the problems addressed by VoIP but not all.

Eventually we will be able to make a VoIP call where we move seamlessly from one level 2 network (e.g., cellular, WiFi) to another. The first carrier to offer this will have a big early-to-market advantage. While AT&T has an advantage in its underlying infrastructure, I do not expect them to be early.

[Ipheuria]

I remember I got so excited when they said they were working on phones that would switch from the cellular network to Wifi if it was available seamlessly thereby saving time on your cell plan. However it hasn't materialized yet

[whmurray]

I do not think that the post that originated this thread ever got a straight answer.

Why is Skype/Fring not yet releasing their App to work over 3G?

The simple answer is because Apple will not cooperate. [I have not visited the Fring site lately, but I would be surprised if the code is not available for JB iPhones.]

Now that I can tether my iPhone to Mac, who can prevent me from making a VOIP call using my Mac?

There is no intention to resist VoIP, per se, no matter where the app runs.

If you can tether your Mac to the cellular network, via your iPhone, I do not think that AT&T will notice what apps you run on the Mac. They would have to block traffic based upon address and protocol and I doubt that they can stand the heat that would result.

The intent is to resist VoIP, originating on the iPhone, over the cellular network by resisting applications with that capability on the iPhone. Apple cooperates, not to say, colludes, with their partner, AT&T, to resist applications that do that. AT&T does this because it wants to, because it can, and because it is afraid that VoIP over Cellular breaks their already fragile business model.

Is Apple still rejecting VOIP over 3G apps?

Yes.

[NewPotatoTech]

VoIP App "Line2" now approved by Apple...after a 3 month wait.

[whmurray]

VoIP App "Line2" now approved by Apple...after a 3 month wait.

It is true that Apple has approved this interesting app. It is not true that it is VoIP, over 3G or otherwise. This app uses your AT&T minutes. Apple will approve these. They will approve VoIP that uses an alternate Internet connection, usually WiFi to an access point.

The applications that Apple is not approving are those that use VoIP over 3G. To the best of my knowledge they have rejected every application that attempts to do that.

Note that most IP applications, like VoIP, are connection agnostic. They do not know or care whether they are connected (at layer 2) via 3G or WiFi. AT&T cannot tell. That is why VoIP will work over 3G on jail broken iPhones. Only Apple can tell that an application is both VoIP and connection agnostic. These are the ones that Apple rejects. Apple's only interest in doing this is to accommodate AT&T.

This is what the whole "network neutrality" argument is all about, whether a carrier should be able to discriminate among IP packets based upon use, content, origin, or destination. Both AT&T and Apple can argue that they are not discriminating, but the effect of their collusion is to discriminate.

Apple has also rejected other applications, like Google Voice and this one, that alter the basic phone application of the iPhone. At least to that extent, this approval is a break-through. The question for Apple is why Line2 and not Google Voice?

[iPhoneDTips]

I wish I could use skype on the go, It would make life so much easier.

[ghostface147]

I wish I could use skype on the go, It would make life so much easier.

Agreed 1000%.

[jamesus]

I wish I could use skype on the go, It would make life so much easier.

Agreed 1000%.

You can. Jailbreak + 3G Unrestrictor = Skype on the go

[whmurray]

You will all be glad to hear that AT&T has decided to permit iPhones to do VoIP over 3G. AT&T to expand Internet calling services on iPhone by AP: Yahoo! Tech.

The battle is over and the mods should close this thread.

No slack on tethering or video streaming but their position is severely weakened.

[whmurray]

..........Note that most IP applications, like VoIP, are connection agnostic. They do not know or care whether they are connected (at layer 2) via 3G or WiFi. AT&T cannot tell. That is why VoIP will work over 3G on jail broken iPhones. Only Apple can tell that an application is both VoIP and connection agnostic. These are the ones that Apple rejects. Apple's only interest in doing this is to accommodate AT&T............?

"We will be amending our developer agreements to get VOIP apps on the App Store and in customers' hands as soon as possible."

[BENGRIMM]

Hopefully AT&T with announce something awesome @ CTIA , see this from the Washington Post All Eyes on AT&T at CTIA; Will Ma Bell Let Skype Onto Its Networks? - Post I.T. - A Technology Blog From The Washington Post - (washingtonpost.com)

[DougDolde]

It is true that Apple has approved this interesting app. It is not true that it is VoIP, over 3G or otherwise. This app uses your AT&T minutes. Apple will approve these. They will approve VoIP that uses an alternate Internet connection, usually WiFi to an access point.

Sorry but you are wrong. Line2 is indeed a VoIP appication that runs on WIFI or 3G if you have it. It does not use AT&T minutes !

[whmurray]

Sorry but you are wrong. Line2 is indeed a VoIP appication that runs on WIFI or 3G if you have it. It does not use AT&T minutes !

I think that it was true when I said it. This is a different product than the one they originally announced. They "have temporarily disabled new account creation" because of a denial of service attack.

This looks like a very useful product for those that want a second number. (I have worked very hard to make all of my numbers ring on all my phones.) Like most of the VoIP apps for the iPhone, this one does not support Bluetooth or speaker. I will pay extra for Bluetooth but will not use an app that does not support it.

[Peter Pieper]

I think there problem with voip is resolved. new and upcoming company called CallArc is offering free calls nationwide and international.

[whmurray]

I think there (sic) problem with voip is resolved. new and upcoming company called CallArc is offering free calls nationwide and international.

Yes, AT&T now permits VoIP over 3G, and yes, that is where this thread began.

How should we think about this?

As a data point, when I entered American business we had no data communication. The first modem I ever saw was 300 baud and was the size of a two drawer file cabinet. It was illegal to cross a public thoroughfare with you own wire. AT&T was, for all practical purposes, the telephone company. In order to encourage "universal coverage," AT&T was granted a 40 year depreciation schedule on lines and switches. AT&T was absolutely certain that data was "not an interesting market."

Today, the number of IP addresses is equal to the number of phone numbers. The backbone network is all digital; analog signaling is limited to the "last mile." Young people use wireless telephone handsets in clear preference to wired. AT&T is absolutely certain that VoIP is a competitor rather than an opportunity.

In a generation, if there are still "handsets," they will all be wireless. (My generation will still wear BT headsets but the young will use implants.) All signaling in the network will be digital; analog will will be used exclusively for voice and will end at the first "microphone" (think sensor). We will address people by (qualified) name and, locally, by nickname; both IP addresses and telephone numbers will have disappeared into the "network." Many devices will have telephone numbers but all will have IP (v6) addresses. Most provisioning will be late and much of it "automagic." Pundits will be predicting address space exhaustion. The "Telephone Company" will still be whining about "equal access," "net neutrality," and tax preferences.

What goes around comes around.

[xpunksbeendeadx]

You can. Jailbreak + 3G Unrestrictor = Skype on the go

Don't forget keep awake for SBsettings so you can receive calls even when your phone is locked by never having your iPhone go from wi-fi to 3G or 3G to Edge.