In Reversal, AT&T Will Allow Skype, Similar Services on iPhone Network  

Posted by Concetta Lestingi

This is interesting, because I have had many a conversation about this topic. I always see my friends playing with their iPhones or iPod touches and wondered if programs such as Skype would work. I wondered it more so for the touch, because it is not a phone, but has the internet. Then you could get away with just going online from your phone, using Skype, and not needing a phone plan or anything. It would make things more complicated, but cheaper. The article does not really touch on that though, which is unfortunate.

It is good to see that consumers advocated for this to happen, and in the end they got their way. No doubt the use of social media to come together for a common cause played a role.

Anyone think they'll use Skype for their iPhone?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125486091615268647.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

2 comments

Natalie Surace   says October 7, 2009 at 12:36 AM

That is an interesting idea. I know I would use it, especially if the video chat worked. Unfortunately, you would still have to pay the extra fees for internet usage plus the monthly phone bills, and I'm sure AT&T would manage to attach even more fees to the program on the phone to make sure it was more expensive than their service. Otherwise, it would be very bad for business.

Now, if I could get an iPhone without the actual phone service or charges (basically a really tiny computer), I would be a happy camper. Then, I could simply download and use Skype from there, and never have to bother with those pesky phone companies!

And that is my prediction for the future of the phone industry.

G-Unkovski   says October 7, 2009 at 12:51 AM

Actually...a VoiP "cell" phone already exists. Numerous models actually Ex:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=Skype+cell+phone&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=6207734813417688265&ei=mx3MSoCLG8nflAfxjKyQBA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5#ps-sellers

The question is whether this is a smart thing for AT&T, i personally think that they're going to be in a world of hurt especially for the GoPhone contracts where you're not obliged to pay a monthly fee. So just get an Iphone a pay as you go contract and then redirect all your calls through Skype which is indisputably cheaper.

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