AT&T tattletales to FCC that Google Voice violates net neutrality
Not too long after the resolution of the dispute between Google and AT&T over who is blocking the Google Voice app on the iPhone, the two companies are at it again arguing over a similar issue. Apparently, this time AT&T is throwing the first stone, attacking Google by urging the FCC to investigate Google’s Voice service. AT&T is alleging that Google is breaking net neutrality rules.
Google had a spat of sorts with AT&T and Apple not that long ago. The dispute came about when the FCC questioned AT&T, Apple and Google why Google Voice app was being blocked on the iPhone and to also determine whether the wireless carrier or phone manufacturer was up to some shenanigans. In the end it came to light that AT&T had nothing to do with blocking Google Voice and it was Apple who was at fault. However, the situation still left a bad aftertaste in the participants of the dispute.
According to TechCrunch, it seems like AT&T is now playing police by sending a letter to the FCC urging the commission to investigate Google’s Voice service. AT&T alleges that Google is violating net neutrality principles by blocking calls made to telephone numbers in certain rural areas that may incur higher than normal charges.
In an ironic twist, AT&T was hammered by the FCC a couple years ago back in 2007 when the carrier tried to block access to some rural phone customers because the local carrier fees were high. The FCC ended up banning AT&T from doing this, which left the company bitter.
Apparently, Google has admitted that the company blocks phone numbers from adult voice lines, but AT&T is stating that Google Voice blocks calls from certain rural areas to avoid high fees as well. The other twist to this story is that AT&T is pushing the net neutrality agenda despite the fact the company publicly stated that net neutrality should not apply to wireless communications.
Many are in disagreement on AT&T’s response just by the sheer fact that devices like the iPhone do much more than make simple phone calls. Many smart phones in fact act like a wireless Internet enabled computer. This is in contrast to Google, a company that has openly supported net neutrality.
Google recently responded to AT&T’s actions on its official blog by stating that software should not have to be regulated by net neutrality rules. This is also despite the fact that its not the software that has come under question but what it does. It seems like there is a bit of hypocrisy from all involved parties in this incident. Of course it is most likely a case of what is convenient at the time these decisions were being made. It will be interesting to see if the FCC will act on AT&T’s allegations.
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