One of the important, new features announced with iOS 6 was FaceTime over Cellular. No longer would we find ourselves seeking a wi-fi connection to view our buddy's goofy mug on our iPhone. Well, unless you're an AT&T user; then it just sort of depends. But take some solace: the Federal Communications Commission stands ready to evaluate your cries for help.
Julius Genachowski, current FCC chairman, stopped by The Verge this morning to talk about all things communications, but primarily focused on the future of broadband. As the frustration of AT&T customers continues to grow in regards to the FaceTime over Cellular issue, Genachowski says the Commission is ready.
Apparently, no formal complaint has been filed at present, but Genachowski says, "we will exercise our responsibilities and we will act," if AT&T doesn't make efforts to resolve the issue amicably. The absence of a formal compliant to the FCC likely won't last, unless AT&T changes its mind on which customers have access to the new feature.
Currently, only AT&T customers on the new Mobile Share plan are able to use the FaceTime over Cellular service. While there's no additional charge to use the feature, the restriction would require AT&T customers on traditional, individual plans to move over to a potentially more costly system. Which -- well, that pretty much seems like the point.
Back in August, AT&T stated it didn't feel the company was violating any FCC policies. "The FCC’s net neutrality rules do not regulate the availability to customers of applications that are preloaded on phones," read the company's policy blog. Essentially, as FaceTime is part of the OS, AT&T doesn't believe there's any violation of net neutrality.
AT&T also reminded its customers that FaceTime over wi-fi, a function that iPhone users have regardless of carrier, was still available. Hey, lucky you!
Ultimately, it will be interesting to see what complaints are filed by net neutrality advocates against AT&T, and in turn, how the FCC responds. AT&T is the only carrier imposing such restrictions in regard to FaceTime over Cellular.
Follow this article's author, Matt Clark on Twitter.
b9bot1
September 26, 2012 at 12:24am
Data is data and all plans should be able to use FaceTime as it only uses data and doesn't cost AT&T anything either. As AT&T just stated, it's a feature on the OS so let everyone use that feature and stop trying to push them into a shared plan that no one wants!
I agree that the government needs to act when GREEDY corporations like AT&T try and take advantage of consumers by twisting the facts to up there profits by forcing consumers into a more costly plan that most don't want or need.
brandonwalkermedia
September 26, 2012 at 6:56am
when your a business owner you will understand GOV. is the worst thing! Every time you make a decision on how to run your business some customer gets the bright idea to get the GOV. involved because they disagree... Every decision you make is wrong because someone somewhere thinks its unfair!
xzanthan
September 25, 2012 at 11:26pm
The FCC is in bed with the Telco's come on people wake up. How do you think they stifle us and keep us uninformed? We are like 29th in the world for internet. That should say it all.
ATT or DEATHSTAR along with the other minions give Unspeakable amount$ of Loot to the GOV..... Oh and by the way they use prison labor and help fund corporatis prison systems. We do have more people in prison than any other nation.... But all the wrong ones. Haven't checked but is any of the Banksters in jail for ripping us off?
Please people wake up and relies that the head of the FCC is just another Puppet master!!!
brandonwalkermedia
September 25, 2012 at 2:13pm
To the Gov: please get your hands out of business! this is supposed to be a free market (its Anything but)
If consumers don't like the service then there are other choices!
OUfan08
September 25, 2012 at 3:09pm
The government unfortunately must regulate business because otherwise greedy corporations would take advantage of customers. The perfect example is how ATT promised us unlimited data with the release of the iPhone and slowly taken that from us.
brandonwalkermedia
September 26, 2012 at 6:52am
Only in the case of monopolies! There should be choice if theres a free market. also we have a Greedy run Gov.
3. Data should cost per, as it was never thought to become this big.only in china do we see MARKET principles anymore. This is why they have the edge in the world economy... ask a Chinese what happened in '08 or '09 and they will most likely say nothing!
MacMike
September 27, 2012 at 5:01am
There is no free market. Businesses take advantage of corporate tax breaks, tariffs on imports, government subsidies, etc. Businesses mention the term "free market" when it suits them, but ignore all of the corporate welfare they take advantage of when the term "regulation" is mentioned. Businesses want it both ways. They want government handouts and protections while not being regulated in anyway. If businesses would act fairly and honestly, there would be no need for any regulation. Unfortunately, businesses have historically shown that they can't and won't act responsibly to the stake holders, only the shareholders.
