FCC Investigating Apple's Rejection of Google Voice iPhone Application

[MacRumors]

The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has opened an inquiry into Apple's rejection of an official Google Voice application for the iPhone as well as the removal of numerous third-party applications offering Google Voice functionality. In particular, the FCC is interested in AT&T's role in the decision-making process.

In letters sent late Friday to the three companies, the FCC asked why Apple rejected the Google Voice application for the iPhone and removed related "third-party applications" from its store.

The letter also seeks information on how AT&T was consulted in the decision, if at all.

Apple and AT&T declined to comment on the inquiry, while Google representatives have not yet responded to requests for comments.

The inquiry, which is apparently part of broader investigations by the FCC and the Department of Justice of possible anti-competitive practices in the wireless industry primarily targeting AT&T and Verizon, was reportedly initiated by the FCC on its own and not prompted by any specific complaint to the agency.

Earlier today, Bloomberg reported that the FCC is also taking a close look at rural wireless markets that have no or limited coverage from the major wireless providers to determine how handset exclusivity agreements with those providers are unfairly hindering competition from the smaller carriers that service the rural markets.

Article Link: FCC Investigating Apple's Rejection of Google Voice iPhone Application

 

[iamkarlp]

I do truly hope the decision to disallow G-Voice was AT&T's instead of Apples.

If it was truly AT&T this investigation could be interesting.

If it was Apple, then I doubt much will come of it.

Karl P

 

[DUSTmurph]

Good. I think Apple's guidelines for allowing apps into the App Store is way too strict.

 

[ECJ]

I'm being very optimistic, that maybe we can get some Google Voice App love. I finally received my invite, so I'm ready.

 

[NoExpectations]

I hope they investigate Ford next! I want my Ford to have a Chevy Engine....those jerks at Ford are forcing us to buy their cars with their own engines!

 

[Spades]

I hope they investigate Ford next! I want my Ford to have a Chevy Engine....those jerks at Ford are forcing us to buy their cars with their own engines!

If you want to add a Chevy engine to your Ford, go for it. Nobody's going to stop you.

 

[Mr. Gates]

Is it Apple or At&t in the wrong?

I think google Voice is great, but I totally see why this is a soar subject. The future will be all about who has the most info, and google tops everyone

 

[ChazUK]

But the fanboys said Apple can do what they like on their own app store! This isnt fair.

Does this mean they would blindly lie to make themselves feel good?

 

[jelly]

I also....

I also hope it was AT&T because they let so many stupid apps in and the meaningful ones get booted. I can still use it cause of cydia but these are really the only reasons even have to JB my phone.

 

[puffnstuff]

they should just allow people to get apps outside the store

 

[mrtune]

Interesting. I wonder how this will play out.

 

[Doctor Q]

I've never understood the legalities behind this. When can a company take actions to avoid selling competing products, and when can't they?

 

[Mr. Gates]

App Available !!!

...........just jailbreak the phone

 

[NoExpectations]

If you want to add a Chevy engine to your Ford, go for it. Nobody's going to stop you.

Jail broken Ford. There goes my warranty.

 

[macUser2007]

Glad to hear this.

Now let the drool brigade start whining that someone's putting restraints on Apple's ability to screw developers and consumers..

 

[Thrilledge]

Looks like Schmidt called in a favor.

I believe he's really good friends with the President.

 

[John.B]

Even if...

The developer threw quite the public tantrum on Teh Intarwebz (tm). I just can't see them being welcomed back with open arms after all that...

 

[riversky]

I am all for the FCC cracking down on exclusive agreements and looking at Apple for violations of competition.

This would be like Microsoft banning FireFox on Windows. Or any app they didn't like you to use such as Flash because they have silverlight.

Apple is way over the line with the app store. Especially since that is the only place you can legally buy one.

It hurts the little guy and drives out innovations.

 

[John.B]

Looks like Schmidt called in a favor.

I believe he's really good friends with the President.

I didn't think of that. If so, it pretty much adds fuel to the fire that says Schmidt's usefulness on the Apple board is over.

 

[yetanotherdave]

I really hate how AT&T's whinging seems to dictate overseas policy. I'm in the UK and on O2 and an sick of hearing how at&t's backwards ass policies are affecting UK customers, who, last I checked didn't sign a damm thing with AT&T.

There's plenty of apps that are on the US store but not on the UK store. If O2 didn't object why couldn't we have google voice VOIP on 3g etc? Because apple are worried that the US customer base will cry foul? They would be right to cry foul if it happened, but thy would just put focus in AT&T. Didn't apple say when they launched iPhone something about breaking this sort of anti consumer bull from the telco's?

 

[NoExpectations]

In the end....

.....there was a business contract written and signed by both Apple and AT&T. Both companies included terms, conditions, definitions, and limitations to protect their services, assets, and financial gains.

Why would AT&T allow the use of another company's voice network? Would Apple allow the use of a competitor's App Store app on their phone? They won't...makes sense to me.

 

[cere]

Best news all week.

 

[czachorski]

Glad to hear this.

Now let the drool brigade start whining that someone's putting restraints on Apple's ability to screw developers and consumers..

There's this amazing thing where consumers don't have to buy a product from company they feel is screwing them, and developers don't have to develop for a platform they feel is screwing them. I know its been an odd, rarely discussed concept in this country lately, but it is called a free market.

 

[atomic.flip]

I am all for the FCC cracking down on exclusive agreements and looking at Apple for violations of competition.

This would be like Microsoft banning FireFox on Windows. Or any app they didn't like you to use such as Flash because they have silverlight.

Apple is way over the line with the app store. Especially since that is the only place you can legally buy one.

It hurts the little guy and drives out innovations.

You're exactly correct! This is anti-competitive behavior at it's core and if the FCC can't get Apple back in line then you can rest assured that the DOJ will be all over Apple with some sort of Anti-trust suit.

And Apple has no chance of winning this one because if any judge ruled in favor of apple blocking apps that compete with their core services then Microsoft would have precedent to essentially go back on a majority of suits they lost for exactly this sort of thing.

If I had to guess, I would say that Apple will mysteriously allow Google Voice into the App store and begin to play nice with the big boys but will certainly continue its anti-competitive practices against smaller developers... that is of course until some one brings a class action to them.

AF

 

[LethalWolfe]

I've never understood the legalities behind this. When can a company take actions to avoid selling competing products, and when can't they?

A lot it is based around how much control a company has in a given marketplace. If you dominate the marketplace you can't 'throw your weight around' to unfairly stifle competition (that's pretty much how MS got busted for being an illegal monopoly). The bigger Apple gets the less they'll be able to hide in their walled garden.


Lethal