After a number of reports, complaints, and a few FCC inquiries -- AT&T announced in October of last year that they'd no longer be blocking VoIP programs like Skype from working over 3G. AT&T said they were taking a "fresh look" at VoIP capabilities on iPhone for use on AT&T's 3G network, and the move was soundly heralded by both the press and the FCC as a step in the right direction. But as of November there was still no movement on the blockade, AT&T telling us at the time the ball was in Apple's court, and Apple doing their usual "no comment" routine.

Of course it's now almost February of 2010, and at the moment VoIP applications like Skype over AT&T's 3G network are still restricted, and Google Voice is still a no show on the iPhone. But things might be changing. A press release issued this week by a company by the name of iCall indicates that the ban on VoIP over 3G has finally been lifted -- for them, anyway. "Apple Computer, Inc. has updated the iPhone developer SDK to allow VoIP over cellular networks," says the release. "iCall is the first and only VoIP application that functions on the iPhone and iPod Touch over cellular 3G networks."

Of course Apple told CNET last October that after being informed by AT&T of their policy change, Apple would "be amending our developer agreements to get VoIP apps on the App Store and in customers' hands as soon as possible." "As soon as possible apparently" meant three or four months later, and from the looks of it -- many VoIP apps are still blocked. You can probably wait a little longer before you're able to use Skype via an AT&T 3G connection.

Wireless networks and devices are slowly opening up. Just don't hold your breath while it's happening.