The Verge - AT&T's FaceTime fiasco: net neutrality concerns spark a backlash

AT&T says 'any' mobile video chat app will work on its network by the end of 2013

2013-05-20T18:12:46Z

When Google Hangouts first launched, we noted that AT&T Android customers couldn't use its video chat capabilities on a cellular network. A statement from AT&T implied that video chat could be used on downloaded apps (like the iOS Hangouts app), but that Google would need to work with AT&T to enable it for pre-loaded apps, which Hangouts for Android technically is. Now, AT&T has given another statement, suggesting that we could see an across-the-board approval of video chat apps by the end of the year.

Thousands of angry AT&T customers speak out as Free Press pushes for net neutrality

2013-01-21T16:15:06Z

AT&T recently made FaceTime calling available to all eligible customers on tiered data plans, but advocacy group Free Press remains unimpressed with the move. Immediately after AT&T announced it would expand support for Apple's video calling protocol, Free Press lambasted the carrier for not opening access to its entire customer base — including unlimited data subscribers. Now the organization is urging AT&T's customers to tell the company how they really feel, and Free Press is even giving them a public platform for the cause. Entering your name, email address, zip code, and ticking a box confirming you're an AT&T user is all it takes to have your comments displayed on the page titled "AT&T. Your World. Blocked."

Among the thousands...

AT&T staves off net neutrality complaint by giving another inch, but it's not fooling anyone

2013-01-16T23:25:20Z

AT&T announced today that it would be gracious enough to let some more of its users — including those without LTE — to enjoy FaceTime over cellular, as the spirit of net neutrality rules require. But it's just the latest half-measure the company has taken to rectify an issue that groups like Public Knowledge and Free Press have argued all along: that AT&T simply has no right to arbitrarily decide how its customers may use the data they pay for from an ISP. So far the FCC has been reluctant to publicly denounce AT&T for the practice, and it seems intent on keeping any reconciliation between AT&T and interest groups behind the scenes. Sources familiar with the negotiations tell The Verge that AT&T was reluctant to commit even to vague...

AT&T adds support for FaceTime on iPhone 4S and other non-LTE devices

2013-01-16T19:36:07Z

AT&T has once again loosened the reins on using Apple's FaceTime service: it's now allowing customers on any compatible device — not just LTE-capable ones — to video chat while on a mobile network. Over the next couple of weeks, the company will start rolling out the option to people with compatible iOS devices like the 4S, so long as they're on tiered plans rather than grandfathered unlimited ones; the entire expansion is supposed to take a few months, however.

FaceTime has been a point of contention for net neutrality advocates, as it's an example of AT&T cutting off access to an arguably competing service that runs through its network, and the company has recently been attempting to find a balance between allowing calls over it...

AT&T briefly extends FaceTime over cellular to unlimited data users before disabling it again (update)

2012-11-21T14:53:23Z

Last week, AT&T slightly loosened its restrictions that previously required iPhone users to who wanted to use FaceTime over cellular networks to be on a Mobile Share data plan — the carrier said that iOS users with an LTE device and a tiered data plan would be able to use the feature. However, we have confirmed that some iPhone users with grandfathered unlimited data plans are also able to make FaceTime calls over cellular networks, corroborating earlier reports. Strangely enough, AT&T said earlier that FaceTime over cellular for users not on Mobile Share plans wouldn't be available for a few months, so it appears that the switch has been flipped earlier than planned — and that AT&T isn't enforcing its new restriction.

AT&T hasn't...

AT&T's flip-flop on FaceTime over cellular should scare you

2012-11-08T20:38:34Z

Weeks after taking enormous heat from consumers, public interest groups, and the media (like us), AT&T is doing an about-face on its controversial decision to limit iOS 6's support for FaceTime over cellular to its new, pricier Mobile Share plans. That's great, but don't give AT&T an ounce of credit — the move is mysteriously taking eight to ten weeks to implement, and it's merely restoring functionality that should've been present from day one. It also would've never happened had organizations like Public Knowledge and Free Press not made it clear to AT&T that they'd pursue all legal avenues to get the block removed. "We got to a place that we think fixes the problem for AT&T's customers faster than would otherwise have happened, had...

AT&T loosens FaceTime restrictions, allows some iPhone 5 and iPad users to video chat over LTE

2012-11-08T19:48:30Z

AT&T just announced that it is easing some of the restrictions it placed on the iPhone's FaceTime feature — now, iOS 6 users with an LTE-capable device will be able to use FaceTime over cellular, as long as they're using a tiered data plan. Specifically, compatible devices include the iPhone 5 as well as the third- and fourth-generation iPad and the iPad mini. Unfortunately, it seems that those with grandfathered data plans are out of luck.

Things haven't changed for all of the other iPhone users on AT&T's network — they'll still have to be on a mobile share plan to use FaceTime on a cellular network. Strangely enough, AT&T is saying that customers won't be able to use this feature for another eight to ten weeks, but there's no...

FCC will review objections to AT&T's FaceTime blocking, 'exercise our responsibilities' if necessary

2012-09-25T16:15:06Z

The FCC has yet to comment on AT&T's decision to limit FaceTime over cellular connections, but in remarks made today at Vox Media's offices in Washington, DC, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski suggested that the agency would review complaints about the service. Genachowski said that he couldn't comment specifically on AT&T at this time, but that if a good-faith effort to resolve the issue "doesn't lead to a resolution and a complaint is filed, we will exercise our responsibilities and we will act." But the FCC shouldn't be waiting long to receive a formal complaint: internet and net neutrality advocates responded swiftly to AT&T's actions, claiming that the FCC's Open Internet rules clearly prohibit arbitrarily limiting a service like...