One of the iOS 6 features we're most looking forward to is FaceTime calls over a cellular connection -- no more being restricted to Wi-Fi only! But AT&T users might want to temper their excitement with a dose of reality.
MacRumors is reporting that an error message found in the new iOS 6 Beta 3 released on Monday could indicate that AT&T plans to charge for accessing FaceTime over its cellular pipes when the final version launches this fall.
Apple announced at WWDC last month that FaceTime would finally be able to connect from a cellular connection, with the caveat that it would depend on the carrier. A developer running the latest iOS 6 Beta 3 who tried to access FaceTime over 3G was met with an unfortunate message:
"To enable FaceTime over cellular on this account, contact AT&T at 611 or visit http://www.att.com/mywireless," the message reads, with buttons for calling or jumping over to the company's website.
This message is similar to the one AT&T customers see when attempting to turn on the Personal Hotspot feature without having the feature activated on their account, suggesting that the carrier may plan to charge a premium for FaceTime over cellular. Curiously, 9to5Mac received no such error when activating FaceTime on Verizon's 3G network.
"We're working closely with Apple on the new developer build of iOS 6 and we'll share more information with our customers as it becomes available," AT&T told MacRumors when asked about the message.
How much would you be willing to pay for FaceTime over 3G/4G? Or should it be included with Personal Hotspot for the same price?
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freakytj
July 17, 2012 at 11:52pm
I've been with AT&T since 2008 and I was thrilled at first to become an iPhone owner; now, however, all the additional fees are out right robbery and greed! I have an account with all our family members with iPhones - 2 phones on the supposed "unlimited" and then 2 other phones on the 3GB packs.
What irks me is the unlimited is absolutely NOT unlimited, furthermore I have to pay more to use tethering??? Which is a feature of the phone only using for service I already pay monthly for!! That's pure crap! AT&T better wake up because as it stands two of our phones are contract expired and when the next iPhone releases I may just very well take those two lines to a new carrier that can offer the same for less or more for less.
Now this "rumor" that Facetime may be charged is yet just like the tethering greed!! Stop charging me additional fees for a service I already pay monthly for... Data! How can a company charge me more for how I wish to use it!!!
Loup407
July 17, 2012 at 9:47am
I have to agree with Kavok; not only do I get nickle and dimed to death by AT&T; I still can't make a call without getting dropped. AT&T is far better at figuring out how to squeeze a few extra bucks out of each customer than they are providing basic services like allowing phones to actually send and receive calls. I'm just looking for an excuse to take my business to Verizon.
kavok
July 17, 2012 at 9:16am
So far in Beta 3, I have it active and there was never any message to call AT&T to set up the service. I'm on their "4G" network though, I don't know if being on 3G would make the difference.
I do know that I'm tired of AT&T charging me for my data plan, then charging me more for HOW I want to use the data I've already paid for. As soon as Verizon gets their LTE network up and running I will be switching, even though I have "unlimited" data with AT&T since the first iPhone in 2007.
It is getting really annoying the way the carriers hobble the functionality that is built into the iPhone unless you want to pay MORE to use it. I wish the FCC would crack down on this crap. Or Congress or someone at least look into the predatory tactics the US carriers have on their customers.
