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AT&T to Restrict or Charge for FaceTime Over 3G/4G in iOS 6? [Updated With AT&T Statement]
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Somebody posted something earlier about apple having an agreement with AT&T with regards to voip. You could understand that AT&T would be hurting a lot if people were exclusively doing voip calls instead of mobile calls.
I'm not defending AT&T, it just means they need to modify their business model because no doubt voip is the future and people are going to use it one way or the other to make more cost effective calls.
All that being said, if you folks are paying for say 5GB of data, you should be allowed to use that as you please without extra cost - it would be unethical for any carrier to do otherwise.
Well shoot, was this posted by someone who works for AT&T? Don't forget, it's in large part due to the stockholders, shareholders, stakeholders and the like that got this country into the fine financial mess we're in.
I feel sorry for the people who think money and power are worthwhile reasons for living.
What happened to the roots of sharing ideas for the good of all that our country was founded on? Why does everyone just assume the way things are (where the very few profit off the many) is the only way to do things...just because it's been that way for so long? Time for people to get their head out of the sand!
I'm an old timer, and this is correct in every aspect. I clearly remember those days.
Ahh the days of a 1200 baud modem, archie and gopher servers and an internet landscape completely free of advertising (absolutely NONE).
That 1200 baud modem was cutting edge.
My god... I just realized I *am* old.
Perhaps the highest tier data plans will include FaceTime as well as tethering, and the people on lower plans will have to pay extra?
jeeze i could never afford an iPhone let alone its plan in the US
here in germany i got the iPhone 4S for free and pay $35 for unlimited data incl. tethering, voip and get wifi hotspots for free + unlimited text (lol incoming text charges, what even .... ?) and this is already considered expensive.
you can simply walk into any super market and buy a prepaid with unlimited internet (trotteled after a certain amount) for not more than 10 bucks
the EU laws and standards to have its advantages sometimes
here in germany i got the iPhone 4S for free and pay $35 for unlimited data incl. tethering, voip and get wifi hotspots for free + unlimited text (lol incoming text charges, what even .... ?) and this is already considered expensive.
you can simply walk into any super market and buy a prepaid with unlimited internet (trotteled after a certain amount) for not more than 10 bucks
the EU laws and standards to have its advantages sometimes
Yeah! The government should step in and tell private companies what to do. Vote with your dollars. That's how capitalism works. We seem to expect Uncle Sam to ride in on a white horse and save us every time we are inconvenienced, not realizing that every time it happens, we are a little less free than before. The government needn't do anything. If you're unsatisfied with how AT&T chooses to run their business, send your $ elsewhere. If you've signed a 2 year contract to get a free phone, you weren't compelled to. You signed it of your own volition and you either need to pay the fee or suck it up.
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'Cause the EU isn't a heartbeat away from dissolving.
I have been with AT&T since the first day the first iPhone came out. I think is time to change carriers.
of course 
AT&T Charge for everything. I'm so glad I'm with Three UK. Unlimited internet with no limits. WOOT
AT&T Charge for everything. I'm so glad I'm with Three UK. Unlimited internet with no limits. WOOT
Everyone is knocking on AT&T for this, but have you thought maybe AT&T will offer unlimited FaceTime calls for $6.99/mo that doesn't use up your regular data allotment? Or a 'pay as you go' alternative per minute
Jeez!!!
Jeez!!!
What would be the point? The thing is that it is another option for people underutilising their data plan, and At&t seems to be against that. So it is okay for people to use their allotted data for streaming youtube, but not talking with other people?
Facetime with video turned off would basically make it a low-data usage calling alternative. Your suggestion makes it indistinguishable from normal voice plans. Why even bother?
dont believe everything u read. germany is doing just fine, its those lazy southern states with their siestas and all that, having problems
You Germans and your crazy sense of humour.
In a way, this kind of makes sense. Think of how many ignorant people will use FaceTime over 3G/4G without knowing it uses their data.
Most people here at Macrumors would be aware, but I assure you the average user is not. Who do you think will have to deal with all those complaints when customers are going over their data plans and having to pay fees?
Don't get me wrong, I personally dislike it (and will be switching to Spring for unlimited data when the next iPhone is release). Just playing devil's advocate.
Most people here at Macrumors would be aware, but I assure you the average user is not. Who do you think will have to deal with all those complaints when customers are going over their data plans and having to pay fees?
Don't get me wrong, I personally dislike it (and will be switching to Spring for unlimited data when the next iPhone is release). Just playing devil's advocate.
It's not just AT&T man, it's our entire rotten system of the common working class person being bled dry by the corporations every chance those bloodsuckers get. Then we're just supposed to accept and tolerate this BS!? I say thee, nay.
If only more groups like the creators of LINUX had the support of the majority of the community, then we might have a low cost Ubuntu phone anyone could afford. With majority support and the resources that would follow, the possibilities would be endless. I dare say a phone even better than the iPhone.
Just to make this real clear: It is Apple's fault to even allow carriers to control certain features of iOS. It was Apple's decision to hold back FaceTime over Cellular until now and they are to blame if carriers can interfere with the functionality of YOUR phone. Same goes for Personal Hotspot.
Yes, AT&T are *******s, but they are not actively blocking any data traffic, they are just happily exploiting the power Apple gave them in the first place.
So you guys should not only switch providers, but also post a complaint with Apple saying that you want all iOS features to work no matter if your carrier is happy with them or not.
Technically there are just three types of cellular traffic: voice, SMS and data. Don't let them fool you by splitting data further up into tethering, VoIP, video calls, instant messaging and what not. The fight for network neutrality has only just begun. Overpriced voice calls and SMS are gonna diminish quickly and carriers are gonna do everything in their power to extra-charge you for data use.
Yes, AT&T are *******s, but they are not actively blocking any data traffic, they are just happily exploiting the power Apple gave them in the first place.
So you guys should not only switch providers, but also post a complaint with Apple saying that you want all iOS features to work no matter if your carrier is happy with them or not.
Technically there are just three types of cellular traffic: voice, SMS and data. Don't let them fool you by splitting data further up into tethering, VoIP, video calls, instant messaging and what not. The fight for network neutrality has only just begun. Overpriced voice calls and SMS are gonna diminish quickly and carriers are gonna do everything in their power to extra-charge you for data use.
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I always thought facetime was one of the coolest features but was held back by Apple. Now AT&T wants to hold it back. Because of the family share plan on Verizon we should be fine. It would be a shame if Verizon sneaks in the same policy because I could see them charging $5 per month per phone just to use facetime which would bring in a good chunk of change. Carriers can see that iPhone users are more willing to pay up for premium features. And no, I'm a Nexus user.
What would be the point? The thing is that it is another option for people underutilising their data plan, and At&t seems to be against that. So it is okay for people to use their allotted data for streaming youtube, but not talking with other people?
Facetime with video turned off would basically make it a low-data usage calling alternative. Your suggestion makes it indistinguishable from normal voice plans. Why even bother?
If you are a heavy FT user, you don't have to use up all your entire data plan. You can get unlimited FT for an extra one-time fee.
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I agree with you. Everything is over priced to begin with. Not only that, but nothing is made in the US anymore. So they are giving the same service at a reduced expense on their end and not even passing on any savings. AT&T may be an exception, but I'm sure all their equipment is made in China at least.
I don't think it's the same. In iOS 6 Apple is making facetime more integrated and would appear no different than a typical call other than an indicator telling you it's facetime. I have a Nexus and I'm not aware of any built in native Google App that does the same thing. If there was Apple would have sued already.
Good points *Calypso*. I might just post some thoughts to Apple if they are also going to let T-Mobile do whatever they want. I'm planning to go with T-Mobile when the new iPhone comes out.
Pretty soon nobody will be able to afford the monthly bills on the new tech. Who cares if it can fly if I can't afford to gas to up.