Facetime on 3G

[hitman1980]

I was thinking apple will activate facetime on 3G also with iOS 5 update .. Wasn't it one of the 200 features?? It still ask me to activate wifi to use facetime ..
Anyone else (non jailbreak users) able to use facetime on 3G??

 

[your kids daddy]

Facetime on 3G

I called Apple yesterday and asked about this. They have not included this in their update of IOS 5. The guy told me that they may be adding it at a later time, but he did not know for sure. So for now, we are without Facetime on a 3G network.

 

[blurb23]

It's not up to Apple, it's up to the carriers.

Half the reason FaceTime is so limited in it's functionality is that both people need to be on wifi. Apple would love to open it up to 3G networks so it can be used more often, but the carriers don't want that since it would clog up their data networks even more.

 

[fsck-y dingo]

I've given up jailbreaking for now, but I can say FaceTime works well over AT&T's 3G network. I hope the carriers start allowing this soon. Wifi only usage is limiting when your not at home or at a trusted location.

 

[Stangs55]

It's not up to Apple, it's up to the carriers.

Half the reason FaceTime is so limited in it's functionality is that both people need to be on wifi. Apple would love to open it up to 3G networks so it can be used more often, but the carriers don't want that since it would clog up their data networks even more.

I've never bought this....it makes zero sense. So the carriers will allow me to stream 24 hours of straight Netflix...but not facetime?

Nope, sorry...no facetime on 3G is Apple's call.

 

[Lucbert]

Facetime is impossible to use when it's not available on 3G. Whenever you call someone it's total trial and error because most of the time the person you want to call is not on Wifi. and when they are than you are most likely not. Had my iPhone 4 for about half a year and was very excited for FaceTime but so far have successfully used it once and have been wanting to use it about 50 times.

 

[ctbear]

I've never bought this....it makes zero sense. So the carriers will allow me to stream 24 hours of straight Netflix...but not facetime?

Nope, sorry...no facetime on 3G is Apple's call.

That is why they introduced tiered data plans.
It's those people who stream 24/7 and clog up the network that bring us limited data plans.

 

[Stangs55]

That is why they introduced tiered data plans.
It's those people who stream 24/7 and clog up the network that bring us limited data plans.

Maybe so...but it doesn't change the fact that Facetime being limited to 3G is Apple's decision...not AT&T/Sprint/Verizon...

 

[Applejuiced]

Maybe so...but it doesn't change the fact that Facetime being limited to 3G is Apple's decision...not AT&T/Sprint/Verizon...

How do you know Its just Apples decision and not influenced by its wireless partner networks?

 

[blurb23]

Maybe so...but it doesn't change the fact that Facetime being limited to 3G is Apple's decision...not AT&T/Sprint/Verizon...

Apple wanted MMS with iOS 3.0, but AT&T held them up. There's no reason Apple wouldn't want Facetime on 3G, it's the Carriers.

 

[TheNinjaJedi]

I wonder how much data this would actually use??

 

[unkn0wnsoldier]

I've been doing facetime on 3g for a good while now and it works fine. I have the 2 gb plan and I'm never close to the limit. This guy right here will be a happy camper when facebreak works on iOS 5. Maybe someone has already tested it?

 

[Stangs55]

How do you know Its just Apples decision and not influenced by its wireless partner networks?

Apple wanted MMS with iOS 3.0, but AT&T held them up. There's no reason Apple wouldn't want Facetime on 3G, it's the Carriers.

I gotta respectfully disagree. Apple is loved/hated for not releasing products until they live up to their standards, regardless of consumer demand (think the original iPhone being edge only because 3G chips at the time drank batteries).
It's a similar situation here. If Apple allowed everyone to use Facetime on 3G, they would be putting themselves out there to be judged as releasing a crappy product when users couldn't video chat because of poor cell reception. Facetime would be to blame by the masses and, therefore, Apple would be to blame. But instead, they allow it only over WiFi so they can (almost) always be assured of a fast internet connection and a good end-user experience. That way, all they get is "Man, I wish I could use Facetime over 3G! I don't understand why Apple won't let me!"...instead of "This Apple video chat is a joke. It never works!" This approach has been a large part of Apple's business model since Jobs took the reigns.
Then on the flipside, if it was the carrier that was forcing Apple to limit Facetime to WiFi...why on earth would they allow Netflix, Hulu, Crackle, etc, etc? They could just as easily tell Apple to not allow 3G streaming apps...but they don't.