Comments on: Apple Still Not Allowing VoIP Calls Over 3G

By: Are We Getting Closer to an All-VoIP Mobile Phone? – GigaOM

Are We Getting Closer to an All-VoIP Mobile Phone? – GigaOM — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:01:58 +0000

[...] Evidently, some carriers are taking notice. Back in October, AT&T said that it would open its 3G network to VoIP providers on the iPhone. It was good news for Skype given that, according to Shaw, the company’s mobile app has been downloaded more than 10 million times in Apple’s App Store, making the software the leader in VoIP on the iPhone. There’s just one problem: Apple has yet to approve the VoIP-over-3G functionality. [...]

By: iPhone & The Lack of Voice over 3G: Alternative Theory – GigaOM

iPhone & The Lack of Voice over 3G: Alternative Theory – GigaOM — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:48:24 +0000

[...] few weeks ago, we had wondered why there was still no VoIP over 3G connections. More recently, others asked that very question. FCC [...]

By: History Making Smartphone Skype Call During LeWeb Closing Session | Voice on the Web

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:54:53 +0000

[...] On iPhone, Apple Still Not Allowing VoIP Calls over 3G (gigaom.com) [...]

By: NDub

NDub — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:33:11 +0000

blacksn0w + cydia + 3G Unrestrict = happy days... until they allow it properly.

By: SoCalAdam

SoCalAdam — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:08:33 +0000

Yet another reason to jail break your iphone. I use Skype over 3g with no issues at all. Now waiting for Skype to offer push services like truphone.

IMHO, TruPhone is true junk. I installed it and the damm thing would crash with regularity, so back to Skype I went.

By: Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:16:34 +0000

As logical as it seems to blame the app designers (like Skype), considering that it really doesn’t make sense for Apple to block the 3g voip, it actually is Apple. According to Skype people:

“We have a 3G enabled release ready to go any time. We are obliged to sit on it due to Apple, whose developer licence agreement has not been changed to allow VoIP services on mobile connections, talk being cheap. That is what the “contractual restrictions” refers to.

Once we are allowed by Apple to release a 3G calling app, we will do so right there. You will need to update to the new version via App Store to enable the feature.”

By: John

John — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:32:49 +0000

This is not true. Skype and fring can be done over 3g. I am an avid nokia user, and I have always used skype and fring over 3g. I thought it would be a good idea to switch over to an iphone, and now, I can only make calls through wifi.

So, clearly it isnt an AT&T thing… it seems to be an iPhone thing. Screw AT&T for charging such an expensive price for 3g with much restriction.. I wish I could go back to my nokia and get a cheaper data plan… at least with that, i can do voip

By: RGD

RGD — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:48:14 +0000

Om,

Didn’t you previously mention that you ditched your Blackberry Tour because of trackball issues and the phone breaking?

Did you get a replacement or are you learning to live with the device?

By: Davey

Davey — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:37:51 +0000

I’m pretty sure its because of the contract between apple and at&t. At&t opened it up, but still has the same contract with apple which states: no voip on 3g.

Apple is bound by old at&t policies.. hopefully when(if) contract is renewed.. it will be updated to reflect changes…

By: Glenn_Va

Glenn_Va — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:27:21 +0000

This was bound to happen. I’m sure there’s something going on between Apple and ATT. I’m sure ATT is happy the option has not been allowed yet. Apple is slow-rolling it.

By: Lloyd Savage

Lloyd Savage — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:44:07 +0000

While I would agree that the service (voice over 3G) is not working currently, it did work for me for about 4 days after the announcement, then magically it disappeared. I suspect that this is more of a call routing issue, verses an application upgrade. As many of us can attest, Skype’s presence and chatting function well over 3 G. I’m thinking that when a VoIP packet hits the 3G net, it immediately gets thrown into a bit buck and an “icmp” packet gets generated with the familiar message that we have all encountered. I’m sure they will turn it back on as soon as they have worked out their (AT&T) new data/minute plans. That’s my two cents…Everyone enjoy your iPhones!

By: mohamed hassan

mohamed hassan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:33:34 +0000

i live in finland and it doesnt also work over 3g but my jailbroken phone is working nicely with skype over 3g and also i got 3,6 mb internet connection over 3g and the sound is so clear
not official but works fine with me and i am also on os 3.0
i love apple anyway and my iphone is the best thing i ever had

By: Francesco Minciotti

Francesco Minciotti — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:42:19 +0000

You’re wrong, at least about what’s going on in Italy. Here, even if you have a no-contract whatsoever iPhone (SIM unlocked), therefore with no middle-man between the user and Apple, you can’t do VoIP, no matter which app you run.
I paid 700€ for my iPhone 3Gs 32Gb just to avoid mobile operators hassles and what did I get? The same, sucky treatment of all the other fellows which are restrained into a binding contract with mobile operators.

It’s just Apple’s choice.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:12:53 +0000

Hi,

I’m thinking that Apple has been studying and working on required changes to the iPhone OS, SDK, and developer agreements in order to elegantly integrate VoIP calls and Google Voice.

Rather than Apple simply approving VoIP app over 3G functionality, developers will have to make changes to their apps as per new developer guidelines and APIs for VoIP apps. Changes such as possibly mandating a unified call experience with the native dial pad, call history log, voicemail notification hooks, and other new/improved developer APIs. The new changes/APIs will permit the VoIP app to answer incoming VoIP calls even if the designated VoIP app isn’t running. The current situation where VoIP apps/calls suddenly quit when an incoming cellular call come in will be resolved.

When Apple finally permits VoIP over 3G on iPhone, the experience will be improved. Apple will take their sweet time to get this right and probably announce the VoIP changes at the 2010 World Wide Developer’s conference as part of iPhone OS 4.0. Apple will make everyone wait, just like we all did for cut/copy/paste, MMS, etc. Only then will we see VoIP over 3G and Google Voice on iPhone.

This is all just a guess on my part. I’d rather this happen sooner than later, but done properly regardless of the timeline.

-Martin

By: Josh Appleseed

Josh Appleseed — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:13:34 +0000

Apple’s SDK Agreement still has the VoIP on mobile connections prohibition in place. Under these terms, Apple are de jure and quite probably de facto rejecting any apps that would, whether such have actually been submitted to them or not.

I would venture to guess that Apple got caught a little early by AT&T’s announcement, that they would have understandings like they had with T with other operators around the world, and that they need to make changes to their SDK to allow for detecting the operator so it can be determined in comms apps whether VoIP on 3G should be available or not.

Thus, once they’re done with that, we should be seeing the app developers get a new SDK with a new Agreement to match. And see them submit updated, 3G VoIP-enabled apps to the App store once they’re done with implementing the needed changes to still block VoIP on several hostile operators’ networks.

By: David Koss

David Koss — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:31:26 +0000

You hit the nail on the head. It’s the software that isn’t allowing 3G based on the terms the companies had to abide by when submitting the app. These companies have to update their code, and apps have to update in order to make calls over the 3G network. It’s not magic like some people think. Once AT&T allows it, it will take time to roll out.