Amid rising speculation that AT&T might charge its iPhone users for FaceTime video chat feature across its terrestrial network, the carrier sent an official statement stating that customers who are subscribed to the career’s services on its Mobile share plan can access FaceTime without any additional cost. Those who didn’t subscribe to the carrier’s mobile share plan will only get access to FaceTime in the presence of Wi-Fi. Apple announced in June that its customers will be able to carry out video chats through the data network and also use the same in Wi-Fi as well. AT&T will also be applying restrictions on the plan in order to control a sudden rise or fall in data.
Few have opposed the decision to limit the use of FaceTime on the upcoming iOS. The alleged the restrictions could go against FCC rules. Apps like FaceTime are a threat to the carrier’s revenue. However AT&T must tread carefully and prevent engaging in discriminatory behaviour. The so called discriminatory behaviour being referred to here is AT&T’s announcement on using the FaceTime app over minimal usage. Last week the statement released confirmed that subscribers under the mobile share plan can run the application over the cellular network. However, other plans are still required to use the Wi-Fi service.
Apple made an announcement (back in June) that the latest iOS will be able to run FaceTime on Apple’s latest Operating System iOS 6. The inclusion would merely users to carry out Facetime calls in Wi-Fi, as well as through the cellular network. However neither AT&T nor Apple revealed how much data each call would consume. Furthermore, there were speculations that AT&T would charge higher for the customers using the iPhone. Although there is no additional cost for accessing FaceTime, subscribers are still worried that using the same over the carrier’s cellular network could prove a violation from FCC rules.
Critics justified that by restricting the option of the FaceTime for many of its customers clearly violates ethical norms. These rules state that providers are not allowed to block apps that can be used as a component of telephony services. Although carriers are allowed reasonable network management, still, the company shouldn’t have two data plans, one implementing the free FaceTime access and the other denying the same. AT&T retaliated by stating that the carrier hadn’t validated any security norms FaceTime is expanding and those entering the company today will find great work here.
