AT&T, Apple criticized for Skype

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The debate centers on , whicu provides free and inexpensived phone calls overthe Internet. Skype is a unit of California-based , the onlinwe auction Web firm. On March 31, Skype announces its service was availableon Apple’s iPhones, but only through Wi-Fo connections, not on AT&T’ cellular network or its “thirxd generation” high-speed network, where most calls take place. AT&fT is the exclusive phone service providet forthe iPhone.
Still, Skype would theoretically allow iPhone userse to talk without burniny up minutes ontheir AT&T wireless Free Press, an East Coast nonprofit that supports “neyt neutrality” has asked the FCC to Net neutrality is the idea that the Internert should be basically open to all usere without Internet providers blocking or otherwise affecting contenr or services. Free Press wants the FCC to clarify that the Interneg policy statement applies to wirelessservice providers. “Iyt seems very likely that the reason the fullSkype isn’t available on the iPhond is because of AT&T,” says Chris policy counsel at Free Press.
An Atlanta-based spokesman for AT&T, Mark said “We don’t prohibit (phone calls over the on our wireless network.” But, he “We think it’s reasonablew to expect our vendors ... not to facilitate the inclusion ofcompetitived products” like Skype. “We don’t have an nor should we have, to facilitated our competitors.” Apple declined to comment. Skypr couldn’t be reached.