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whiteshadoww

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 14, 2008
372
129
Santa Monica, CA
I know the announcement that we can use Skype over the AT7T 3G network came earlier this month but anyone know when we will be able to actually use it in this manner?
 
The feature will be available when Skype updates their application. Also, I am thinking that this is not in full effect yet, as AT&T still needs to make network changes to allow this and get ready for increased network traffic.
 
The feature will be available when Skype updates their application. Also, I am thinking that this is not in full effect yet, as AT&T still needs to make network changes to allow this and get ready for increased network traffic.

VOIP works fine on 3 g on AT&T on all other phones. I think that the new app is needed.
 
The feature will be available when Skype updates their application. Also, I am thinking that this is not in full effect yet, as AT&T still needs to make network changes to allow this and get ready for increased network traffic.

Lol....update there network traffic for an app? Wow....no offense but if there network ***** the bed over skype I would cry in pitty for them...voice is voice.
 
Lol....update there network traffic for an app? Wow....no offense but if there network ***** the bed over skype I would cry in pitty for them...voice is voice.

I don’t find it funny. Think about it...more people are going to be using AT&T’s network because more apps now have the advantage of using it. I know it should not happen, but with AT&T...who knows?
 
I don’t find it funny. Think about it...more people are going to be using AT&T’s network because more apps now have the advantage of using it. I know it should not happen, but with AT&T...who knows?


I guess it makes sense but there's plenty of popular apps out that already take a **** on AT&Ts network. I don't see even a mass skype craze causing too much issues it's not exactly as bandwidth demanding as YouTube or anything....unless we are talking video chat which isn't that case.
 
I'm hoping Apple approves this update soon. Would anyone happen to know if this update has even been submitted to Apple for approval yet?
 
Seen nothing about O2 doing the same thing for Skype (VOIP). Has anyone else seen anything similar for the UK?
 
Just waiting on Skype, Not AT&T

We are just waiting on Skype to update their application. Remember when we updated to 3.1.2 and there was the carrier update setting? That was At$t making it changes for Voip over 3g. Can't wait for it. I never use my monthly minutes so I guess it's not huge for me. It's a good step though.
 
I asked Skype technical support about this and here is their response:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for contacting Skype Support.

We are happy about your interest in Skype!

At&T have announced to enable their users to use Skype on the AT&T 3G
network.

Please note that before this announcement can take effect, there will be
2 more necessary steps:

1. AT&T must enable their 3G network to route Skype calls.

2. Apple - since having on a legal basis prohibited the usage of VoIP
applications on 3G networks - need to change their
policies before Skype can provide an updated app that will be able to
make 3G calls.

If you should have any more questions or problems, please do not
hesitate to contact us.

With kind regards,

Joerg

Skype Customer Support
 
1. AT&T must enable their 3G network to route Skype calls.

If this is true, how is skype currently working on AT&T's 3G network on other phones? How will they actually route skype calls if the voice data is actually being transmitted over a data network?
 
I asked about Skype for other platforms (e.g. Windows Mobile) working already and also whether a new app had been submitted to Apple. Below is their response. It seems there is still some confusion about the whole issue. The response didn't address the fact that other platforms are already using Skype over 3G, but I believe the the App Store process and associated agreements may be where the real hang-up is.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for contacting Skype Support.

Unfortunately we cannot issue an updated app until Apple has changed
their legal grounds on which they allow apps for the AppStore.

As soon as this is completed, we will instantly send an adapted app to
Apple.

If you should have any more questions or problems, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
 
Yea, I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with AT&T anymore... Routing Skype calls? What does that even mean? Data is data. VoIP moves in 1's and 0's over the 3G network the same as an email.

Apple needs to update their agreement so Skype can submit an app with VoIP over 3G support.
 
Hope that Apple and Skype can work this one out pretty soon.

I'm eagerly awaiting for this update...
 
If this is true, how is skype currently working on AT&T's 3G network on other phones?

Yea, I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with AT&T anymore.

Why is this so hard to believe? AT&T's computers were all programmed to block VOIP calls coming from iPhones. AT&T has to change all of their computers to not obey that block anymore. That kind of thing is not as simple as flipping a switch and watching the whole network change itself.

And even if you don't believe that, why on earth would Skype be saying that in their e-mails to customers? What possible reason would they have for lying about that? The "AT&T has to change things" part must be true simply because there's no reason Skype would make that up.
 
Why is this so hard to believe? AT&T's computers were all programmed to block VOIP calls coming from iPhones. AT&T has to change all of their computers to not obey that block anymore. That kind of thing is not as simple as flipping a switch and watching the whole network change itself.

And even if you don't believe that, why on earth would Skype be saying that in their e-mails to customers? What possible reason would they have for lying about that? The "AT&T has to change things" part must be true simply because there's no reason Skype would make that up.

You're wrong.

AT&T was not programmed to block VOIP calls. 3GUnrestrictor and VOIPover3G work fine as well as tethering your phone and initializing VOIP. All the VOIP over 3G programs do is tell the iPhone it's using Wifi so it connects. It doesn't spoof the traffic to different ports or anything to trick AT&T. Also a while ago AT&T said that they will allow VOIP over the iPhone. It's still against the AppStore policy though to approve VOIP apps that are not restricted to Wifi.

Skype cannot get their app approved. The current app doesn't time out when trying to connect on 3G... The feature isn't there.

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/10/iphone-att-skype/

Also, read the post 3 posts above you that is a message from Skype citing Apple as the issue. Why would Skype say that to their customers if it wasn't true? The emails you are referring to are either outdated or from Skype employees that were misinformed.
 
Why is this so hard to believe? AT&T's computers were all programmed to block VOIP calls coming from iPhones. AT&T has to change all of their computers to not obey that block anymore. That kind of thing is not as simple as flipping a switch and watching the whole network change itself.

And even if you don't believe that, why on earth would Skype be saying that in their e-mails to customers? What possible reason would they have for lying about that? The "AT&T has to change things" part must be true simply because there's no reason Skype would make that up.

You my good sir need to read up before you post. First off AT&T and apple shouldn't have some special one on one relationship like they did when google voice got rejected...that would be like me dating my school teacher, it would be inappropriate. Handset makers in general should not half even close to what AT&T and apple have going on, look at apple and o2, orange, Hutchingtons 3G, T-Mobile Germany, etc. AT&T doesn't control what apps are on the iPhone. Period. And ifthey try it again the FCC will put them in another timeout. Data is data you don't seam very knowledgable on this subject past the broscience on macrumors that I see regarding more complex issues likethis relating to network. I cringe when I see posts like this because it's totally wrong. AT&T and all the other carriers are just dumblipes I dsiquise just like the rest of the Internet and as such have trouble regulating things like this. As for skype response, it sure makes you look better putting all the blaim/pressure on the carrier to "fix things up". Carriers don't have much control beyond there expensive plans....
 
Also, read the post 3 posts above you that is a message from Skype citing Apple as the issue. Why would Skype say that to their customers if it wasn't true? The emails you are referring to are either outdated or from Skype employees that were misinformed.

Ah, I see.

The posted e-mail that supports your argument is correct while the other e-mail that supports my argument is wrong.

So silly of me to not realize that from the start.

AT&T doesn't control what apps are on the iPhone. Period.

Then why is tethering allowed on iPhones outside the US but not inside the US?

AT&T has nothing to do with that? Apple just hates their US customers?
 
Ah, I see.

The posted e-mail that supports your argument is correct while the other e-mail that supports my argument is wrong.

So silly of me to not realize that from the start.



Then why is tethering allowed on iPhones outside the US but not inside the US?

AT&T has nothing to do with that? Apple just hates their US customers?

No. You're argument is wrong because of the other reasons I stated. The post above just shows that your argument that Skype support must know what they are doing is false. The mere fact that they suggest two different reasons negates their support staff's reliability as a resource.

And about tethering... It's because Apple listen's to AT&T. Apple is the only one who ACTUALLY disabled Tethering. They did this because AT&T said "Please don't!"

Again, proven because jailbreakers just have to change their settings and the iPhone fully is capable of tethering on AT&T's network in it's current state. JUST like with VOIP.
 
AT&T doesn't control what apps are on the iPhone. Period.

And about tethering... It's because Apple listen's to AT&T. Apple is the only one who ACTUALLY disabled Tethering. They did this because AT&T said "Please don't!"

You guys are really splitting hairs here.

You really don't call "they asked for it and got it" the same thing as control?

If I ordered fried chicken at a restaurant and the waiter brings it to me would you say "it's the waiter that brought the chicken so you had nothing to do with it"? The fact that I asked for it makes me a part of the whole "chicken-arriving" thing.
 
You guys are really splitting hairs here.

You really don't call "they asked for it and got it" the same thing as control?

If I ordered fried chicken at a restaurant and the waiter brings it to me would you say "it's the waiter that brought the chicken so you had nothing to do with it"? The fact that I asked for it makes me a part of that.

... We may not be arguing about the same thing...

AT&T does have control over the iPhone because Apple does listen to them. That's true as with Tethering as you pointed out.

But it's not true about VOIP anymore as AT&T said they don't care if it's enabled anymore. That puts it in Apple's boat to allow VOIP over 3G into the App Store. It's out of AT&T's control.

You made arguments about AT&T needing to flip switches on their networks, which is what we said is false. The network is all ready and AT&T is prepared for VOIP. Last step is for Apple to change it's developer agreement to allow it. You denied this earlier.
 
You made arguments about AT&T needing to flip switches on their networks, which is what we said is false. The network is all ready and AT&T is prepared for VOIP. Last step is for Apple to change it's developer agreement to allow it. You denied this earlier.

I said that the e-mail from Skype indicates that this was the case.

And that one e-mail did.

And then there's another e-mail that doesn't say that. So all I know is that we have 2 e-mails claiming 2 different things. I have no idea which one is right, actually. You seem to be sure that one is right and one is wrong. I'm glad you know, because I have no idea how to tell which e-mail is more correct. I argued for the one, but heck, I really don't know. Could be either one.
 
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