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AT&T bringing FaceTime over cellular calls to all customers?
AT&T may be quietly enabling FaceTime over cellular for customers on unlimited data plans, according to a report in MacRumors. AT&T originally limited cellular FaceTime to customers on the carrier's new shared data plans. After a public outcry, AT&T later expanded FaceTime to customers who are connected to the carrier's 4G LTE network and have either a tiered or shared plan. MacRumors forum user kre62 noticed that his iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 now support FaceTime over cellular even though he is on an unlimited plan. Several other users in the MacRumors thread confirmed this report, and BGR also claims its two iPhone 5 handsets have FaceTime enabled on unlimited data plans. AT&T has not announced that it is activating cellular FaceTime service for unlimited data plans, so it is possible that this is just a glitch. We have reached out to AT&T to confirm these reports and will update the post when we receive a response. [Editor's note: When we tried activating FaceTime on an iPhone 5 with an unlimited data plan it popped up the familiar warning to call AT&T and purchase a plan that supported the feature so at this time we cannot confirm this is happening on any large scale.] To check if FaceTime over cellular is now available on your iPhone, you should first reboot your iPhone for the service to go into effect. Then open Settings > General > Cellular and scroll down to see if the FaceTime toggle is on. If it is on, then you should be able to initiate a FaceTime call over AT&T's cellular connection.
iPhone FaceTime over cellular for AT&T now available for some, even without LTE?
AT&T's decision to let only its customers on shared and new data plans pick up FaceTime over cellular may have riled some, but at least it's been able to roll-out the functionality earlier than the two-month window suggested in early November. MacRumors' forums are abuzz with word that their iOS devices (mostly on the East Coast) are now able to make FaceTime calls without WiFi. Perhaps more importantly, according to these early reports, you might not have to wield an LTE iDevice to use it, with several non-4G devices running iOS 6 able to stream faces elsewhere. If you're still getting the pop-up of misery (seen above), forum users suggesting switching your phone off and on again.
AT&T decides to offer FaceTime over cellular, but only on LTE devices with tiered data plans (update: sometimes on 3G)
Well, it's no secret that AT&T ruffled some feathers with its decision to make FaceTime over cellular available only to those on shared data plans. After what we can only assume was some deep soul searching, the carrier has shifted gears... a little. Now you'll be able to fire up the video chat app on your iOS 6 device over LTE, so long as you're on one of the new tiered data plans. If you're still rockin' one of those unlimited data plans -- or if you're unable to hop onto LTE due to device choice or locale -- you're still out of luck. The company explained the decision to initially limit the availability of the feature was due to the number of iPhones on its network. In other words, it didn't think its infrastructure was ready to handle a sudden surge of video calls. FaceTime over cellular will slowly become available to those on Ma Bell's tiered data plans over the next eight to ten weeks. For a few more details, check out the PR after the break. Update: AT&T tells us that you don't need to be actively using LTE, just have a device that supports it. That's an odd way to partition customers, although it does mean that there's more of a safety net for areas where LTE isn't widespread.
Verizon Wireless confirms FaceTime over cellular on all data plans
If you'll recall, AT&T was quick to inform users after WWDC that it would not be supporting FaceTime over Cellular on all of its data plans (you'll need a Mobile Share plan for it to work) when it launches as part of iOS6 on the 19th. Now Verizon has responded, confirming in its iPhone 5 press release that the feature is welcome on any data plan allowance. Of course, your usual data restrictions will still apply so we wouldn't leave those 720p backside illuminated cameras streaming for too long. If you're the type to set your watch by iPhone launches, the press release also mentions Friday at 3AM ET is the time when they'll be available for preorder on the website, check the rest of the details after the break.
AT&T confesses: its network couldn't handle unchecked FaceTime over cellular
Well, at least no one can blame AT&T for dodging the core issue any longer. After watching Verizon Wireless snag satisfaction crown after satisfaction crown from AT&T over the years, it seems that the latter is finally using a highly defensive blog post on the issue of FaceTime over cellular in order to cop to what we've all known: AT&T's network is in no shape to handle the glut of devices currently running on it. After being taken by storm in 2007 with the iPhone, AT&T has been racing to right the supply / demand curve, and it came to a head once more last week when the operator announced that only Mobile Share users would be able to use FaceTime over its 3G / 4G airwaves once iOS 6 hit. Naturally, pundits were quick to slam the company for implementing a policy that nudges existing users with grandfathered unlimited data plans to slide up to a plan that's potentially less awesome, but a lengthy letter on AT&T's Public Policy Blog lays out the real reason. The company makes clear that the decision to limit FaceTime over cellular to Mobile Share customers does not violate the FCC's net neutrality rules -- after all, it's being decidedly transparent about the frowned-upon choice -- nor does it cross the line on any "blocking" issues. Its argument is simple: it's not blocking you from using any video chat application you want, but it is exercising its right to manage the doors through which all chat applications can and can't be used. The money quote is here: "We are broadening our customers' ability to use the preloaded version of FaceTime but limiting it in this manner to our newly developed AT&T Mobile Share data plans out of an overriding concern for the impact this expansion may have on our network and the overall customer experience." Despite our scorn, we're halfway glad the policy is in place -- after all, how would you feel if you couldn't load a vital email because everyone else on the block was chatting with their mum about chimera cats on FaceTime? Rock, meet hard place.
AT&T: FaceTime over cellular feature to be included in Mobile Share plans at no extra charge, not available for other data plans
AT&T is offering a bit of clarification on the rumors involving a standalone feature offering FaceTime over Cellular for an additional charge: the iOS6 feature (due out this fall) will actually be included at no extra cost, but only for those customers who opt for the Mobile Share plans. Anyone on the grandfathered unlimited data plans or traditional tiered offerings will only be able to rely on the good 'ol WiFi whenever they feel the urge to use Apple's video chat service. From the looks of it, it seems that AT&T is hoping to conserve the amount of network bandwidth that would be chewed up by unlimited customers, while also having it function as a value-added feature for its newest shared data plans. In terms of usage, this FaceTime capability will use up part of your data allotment (instead of minutes). So, the good news is that the feature is free -- the bad news is that it won't make unlimited users any happier. Find AT&T's official statement below.
AT&T CEO responds to paid 3G FaceTime rumor, says it's 'too early' to talk pricing
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson has responded to rumors that Ma Bell plans to add an additional levy upon those planning to use FaceTime over cellular. Speaking at the Fortune Brainstorm conference, he's quoted as saying that he "heard the same rumor," but that it was "too early to talk about pricing." Of course, given that response, it looks like the company has at least been mulling an additional levy for the feature. At present, he says his primary focus is to work with Apple on ensuring the video calling technology works smoothly across his company's data network, with iOS 6 due to arrive later this year.
