An error message discovered in iOS 6 Beta 3 has put a damper on one of the operating system's new features, which is the ability to make FaceTime video calls over a cellular data network. While AT&T and Verizon seem to be mulling how much to charge customers for such a privilege, as usual Sprint has no such issue.
AppleInsider is reporting that third-place U.S. carrier Sprint has made it clear that it has no plans to charge extra for iPhone customers to make FaceTime calls over its 3G (and perhaps soon, 4G LTE) network, even as rivals AT&T and Verizon Wireless appear to be weighing their options for potential charges for the same.
"We are committed to our unlimited data and that means not charging for data consumption based on the application," a Sprint spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
While Verizon remains completely mum on its plans, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson has yet to confirm or deny that the carrier plans to charge for FaceTime over cellular access, claiming his company is still working with Apple during the beta period.
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brandonwalkermedia
July 20, 2012 at 5:45pm
IM WITH AT&T and i get NO FACETIME OVER 4G ERROR, on iOS6 DP2 or DP3!
Let the consumer have an option to but UNLIMITED facetime calls for say $25 a month, but if the customer does not pay for unlimited FaceTime calls let any such calls use the current data plan.
This would allow for customers to keep using there data plan (if they make calls on it) but also give them an incentive to buy the UNLIMITED plan to avoid overages.
lurch956
July 20, 2012 at 5:06am
Being a Verizon customer (limited options where I live); I'm not surprised Verizon would be trying to figure how to charge for this. Verizon tries to charge for everything.
freakytj
July 19, 2012 at 11:11pm
If Sprint feels that they shouldn't charge for a phone feature on their data network, coming out with the no-fee for FaceTime over cellular network. Then why do they charge for hotspot ring/tethering when a device had that built in?? Those services/features aren't set on an data usage cap wen though Sprint "claims unlimited" data usage…
Make you your mind Sprint, you can't play both sides of the field.
RicSG
July 19, 2012 at 7:38am
Just to be clear I am not a Sprint customer so people who might think i am talking bad about Verizon and AT&T coz I am sprint customer, no i am not. I am the victim of one of them who just hopes we wake up and do something about. If I am wrong check your bills and then tell me if I am wrong.
RicSG
July 19, 2012 at 7:30am
AT&T and Verizon are just greedy company. I hope one day no one would use these two carriers and they would realize without customers they are nothing. Sad to see these companies forget that they should be for the consumers, they are in business coz of consumers.
