Apple Thoughts: Skype Restriction Violating Federal Law?

"Since its release on Tuesday, Skype for iPhone has been downloaded more than a million times-that's a rate of six downloads a second, according to the company. All this despite the fact the software only works via the iPhone's Wi-Fi connection, and not AT&T's 3G network. That restriction has angered some, who have argued that the practice is anti-competitive. Those allegations have been turned up a notch now, as the Wall Street Journal reports that an Internet advocacy group called Free Press has asked the Federal Communications Commission to investigate whether or not the restriction is in violation of federal law."

Freepress, which is an Internet advocacy group, has asked the FCC to investigate Skype for the restriction. The claim is that it is a violation of the FCC's Internet Policy Statement. Freepress posted their letter, in which they ask the FCC to confirm that mobile internet access falls under same guidelines as traditional broadband Internet. The U.S. isn't the only country that has companies that are restricting use of a 3G network. T-Mobile in Germany is restricting VoIP usage to 3G, with an added restriction on the use of some of it's own Wi-fi networks.