Tech & Biz

AT&T Opens up iPhone Skype Calls on its Cellphone Networks

by Frank Liao | October 6, 2009 at 03:40 pm

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Skype confirmed a report that AT&T is finally allowing iPhone users to make Skype calls over its cellphone network. This news comes as a big welcome to all the iPhone users who have long wished to make long distance Skype calls on their iPhones.

AT&T had not allowed iPhone users to make Skype calls on their cellphone networks because they feared losing revenue from customers who would cancel their voice plans. In theory, iPhone users with Skype can reduce their monthly bills by just paying for the data plans.

The reason that AT&T is making this move is because the FCC is in the midst of passing a law that prevents internet and cellphone providers from discriminating against internet content and uses, such as Skype.

It will be interesting to see if this decision by AT&T will cause a domino effect on the other major telecommunications company worldwide.

"All of us at Skype applaud today's announcement by AT&T (in an FCC filing to be published shortly) that it'll open up its 3G network to internet calling applications such as Skype," wrote Skype president Josh Silverman. "It's the right step for AT&T, Apple, millions of mobile Skype users and the internet itself."

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