AT&T/Apple vs. Google Deathmatch Continues

By Shane Craver on September 28, 2009

Weeks ago, Google filed an FCC complaint against Apple after its iPhone application, Google Voice (GV), was shut down by Apple. Google alleges that the kibosh was put on GV because it would compete against the AT&T network.

Apple responded in a laughable manner by denying that the GV application had even been rejected – even though it completely removed another application by an independent developer that made GV services accessible through the iPhone.

Now, AT&T – who played the innocent bystander in the above spat – is on the offensive and has filed an FCC complaint against Google for restricting the GV service by disallowing connections over high-priced carrier lines – uhh, that would be AT&T's lines.

In an oh-so-rich move AT&T claims that Google is violating Net Neutrality.

Google admits that they are blocking calls on certain carriers saying:

Unlike traditional carriers, Google Voice is a free, Web-based software application, and so not subject to common carrier laws. Google Voice is not intended to be a replacement for traditional phone service -- in fact, you need an existing land or wireless line in order to use it.

So to sum it up, Google has found a way to give away inbound phone service by providing free phone numbers that will ring your phone, mobile, office, etc. number simultaneously (per the user's preferences). AT&T doesn't like the innovative feature or the reality that Google will eventually put old-school telecom companies out of business by giving away service.

Google's code of conduct, "Don't Be Evil" is widely known and their GV application is in good keeping with that code. On the other hand, AT&T is also in good keeping with their suspected code of conduct, "Dominate and Destroy."