Not too surprisingly, neither AT&T or Apple admit they played any role in the recent ban of the Google Voice application from the iPhone application store. In a letter to the FCC, AT&T denies all wrongdoing, chief AT&T policy and lobbying boss Jim Cicconi telling the agency that AT&T played no role in the decision. "To that end, let me state unequivocally, AT&T had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application for inclusion in the Apple App Store," he says. "AT&T was not asked about the matter by Apple at any time, nor did we offer any view one way or the other."
Apple also posted
their letter to the FCC on their website, likewise denying any wrongdoing. After spending some time patting themselves on their own back for sheer awesomeness, Apple denies all
press reports claiming the application was banned. Said reports were based on Google saying they'd
been told by Apple the app was banned. According to Apple, the application wasn't banned -- it just wasn't approved:
The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail.
Of course if a user
wants this to happen, that should be their right -- and the delay of the application's approval is still an anti-competitive action and contrary to the concept of open networks and devices. Meanwhile, Apple claims AT&T has nothing to do with the
ban non-ban and doesn't involve itself in the application store -- except for, uh, when they do:
There is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T’s cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T’s permission. Apple honors this obligation, in addition to respecting AT&T’s customer Terms of Service, which, for example, prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone. From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration.
In conclusion, Apple didn't ban the Google Voice application -- they just didn't approve it yet for the good of consumers. Meanwhile, AT&T plays no role in decisions at the application store except when they do -- which seems to mysteriously
happen every
time an application threatens core AT&T revenue. All in in all, it's hard to believe that either AT&T or Apple is telling the truth, but that's ultimately up to the FCC to decide.
