Skype for iPhone Works over 3G, Thanks AT&T
I don’t know what’s gotten into AT&T, but I have to say keep it up. Late last month the US carrier announced that it is finally capable of supporting the MMS feature the iPhone OS 3.0 boasted about this summer. Now the company came out to announce that it will allow iPhone users (AT&T is the only authorized iPhone carrier in the US) to make VoIP Skype calls over 3G.
Skype released an iPhone-dedicated app about six months ago and during all this time it grew and grew in popularity. According to Skype President, Josh Silverman, out of all the iPhone and iPod Touch devices sold all over the world, approximately 10% have Skype installed on them. It just goes to prove that people want access to Skype wherever they go.
The problem is that until now, you could only connect to your Skype account using WiFi as AT&T did not let you make VoIP calls over 3G. AT&T has now informed Apple and the FCC that it decided to enable VoIP applications on 3G, 2G and WiFi networks.
President and CEO, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets, Ralph de la Vega, comments: “iPhone is an innovative device that dramatically changed the game in wireless when it was introduced just two years ago. Today’s decision was made after evaluating our customers’ expectations and use of the device compared to dozens of others we offer.”
Skype President, Josh Silverman, commented as well: “All of us at Skype applaud today's announcement by AT&T that it'll open up its 3G network to Internet calling applications such as Skype. It's the right step for AT&T, Apple, millions of mobile Skype users and the Internet itself. Nonetheless, the positive actions of one company are no substitute for a government policy that protects openness and benefits consumers. We're all looking forward to further developments that will let people use Skype on any device, on any network.”
If you would like to get Skype for iPhone and iPod Touch, a download location is available here.
Skype released an iPhone-dedicated app about six months ago and during all this time it grew and grew in popularity. According to Skype President, Josh Silverman, out of all the iPhone and iPod Touch devices sold all over the world, approximately 10% have Skype installed on them. It just goes to prove that people want access to Skype wherever they go.
The problem is that until now, you could only connect to your Skype account using WiFi as AT&T did not let you make VoIP calls over 3G. AT&T has now informed Apple and the FCC that it decided to enable VoIP applications on 3G, 2G and WiFi networks.
President and CEO, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets, Ralph de la Vega, comments: “iPhone is an innovative device that dramatically changed the game in wireless when it was introduced just two years ago. Today’s decision was made after evaluating our customers’ expectations and use of the device compared to dozens of others we offer.”
Skype President, Josh Silverman, commented as well: “All of us at Skype applaud today's announcement by AT&T that it'll open up its 3G network to Internet calling applications such as Skype. It's the right step for AT&T, Apple, millions of mobile Skype users and the Internet itself. Nonetheless, the positive actions of one company are no substitute for a government policy that protects openness and benefits consumers. We're all looking forward to further developments that will let people use Skype on any device, on any network.”
If you would like to get Skype for iPhone and iPod Touch, a download location is available here.
