FCC probes Google Voice iPhone app removal

Apple and AT&T have found themselves in some hot regulatory water over the removal of Google's Google Voice application [1] from the Apple iPhone App Store. The FCC wrote both the CE manufacturer and the nation's second-leading wireless carrier on Friday for clarification on the reason for the removal, citing potential anti-trust violations. Neither Apple nor AT&T commented on which company initiated the removal or the reasons behind it.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in the two letters that his commission's duty to encourage competition in the wireless space for consumer interest compelled him to seek more information about the Google Voice application removal.

The FCC action could mean big things for other VoIP application makers, both in regards to the iPhone App Store, and others such as the BlackBerry App World and Palm's nascent application market for its Pre handset. Skype and Google, most notably, have pushed the FCC [2] to mandate open access for applications on cell phone carrier networks, as TechCrunch's Erick Schonfeld notes. Schonfeld sees the FCC's interest as a sign that regulation may move toward creating "dump pipes," which is an exciting prospect for VoIP players, but one likely to meet fierce resistance from mobile carriers protecting their wireless revenues. 

For more:
- see the TechCrunch article via the Washington Post here [2]
- see DigitalBeat's write up of VoIP applications for the Palm Pre here [3]
- see Information Week's coverage of the FCC action here [4] 

Related articles
Google Voice app pulled from iPhone App Store [1]
Google could be aiming at Skype with Google Voice mobile push [5]