DailyTech - AT&T Opens Up FaceTime Availability (A Little)

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Gadgets AT&T Opens Up FaceTime Availability (A Little)
Tiffany Kaiser - November 8, 2012 6:29 PM

9 comment(s) - last by leexgx.. on Nov 10 at 2:12 PM

(Source: The Verge)

According to AT&T, this availability will reach Cellular customers over the next eight to 10 weeks

AT&T has flip-flopped on its decision to charge iPhone users for FaceTime, and will now expand its availability to users.

Back in August, AT&T announced that it was limiting FaceTime availability to customers with Mobile Share data plans (for free). This meant that users with regular 2GB/4GB data plans or grandfathered unlimited plans were left out. They didn't even have the option to pay for it.

FaceTime has always been available to iPhone 4/4S customers over a Wi-Fi network, but Apple offered the ability to use FaceTime over a cellular connection once iOS 6 beta released.

AT&T's decision to limit FaceTime to certain users caught a lot of criticism from users, and even landed it a FCC net neutrality complaint.

Now, AT&T has changed its mind. The carrier will now enable FaceTime over Cellular for iOS 6 users on any tiered data plan -- for free. The user must have an LTE device, though. Users with grandfathered unlimited plans are still left out of the loop.

AT&T customers with Mobile Share data plans will still be able to use FaceTime for free, as will those with Wi-Fi connections.

According to AT&T, this availability will reach cellular customers over the next eight to 10 weeks.

AT&T was further pressured when Verizon and Sprint announced that they wouldn't charge extra for FaceTime over 3G/LTE.

Source: PR Newswire

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RE: Payback

By LordSojar on 11/9/2012 2:29:49 AM , Rating: 3

Just going to throw this out there... but...

Nationwide, the average AT&T LTE network is faster than Verizon's LTE network, and the deployment AT&T used is much more upgradeable. Also, bull @ Verizon hitting 100Mbps. No phone or tablet can push those speeds, and Verizon currently doesn't have the bonded spectrum to push that.

So, in short, you're lying. AT&T can't do it with a 2x2 bonded 20MHz, and Verizon is lucky to get a 2x1/1x2 bonding. So... NO.

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RE: Payback

By Cheesew1z69 on 11/9/2012 8:23:54 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Also, bull @ Verizon hitting 100Mbps.

Agreed, no way they are hitting 100mpbs+...

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RE: Payback

By BillyBatson on 11/9/2012 10:25:35 AM , Rating: 3

There is no way Verizon is hitting 100 but doesn't mean hey aren much faster. On my iphone5 for AT&T LTE isn't even an option I only get the fake "4g" here in the San Fernando Valley that hits 2-4Mbps. If I'm in Santa Monica (one of the few rare areas with LTE for AT&T) I get 4-6 Mbps. My friend with the Verizon version of the same phone gets 27Mbps through his LTE standing next to me.
It may not be 100mbps but it still 4-5 times faster than AT&T in the Los Angeles area.

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RE: Payback

By leexgx on 11/10/2012 2:12:26 PM , Rating: 2

think the user was calling it 3g spec (fake 4g) not 4g LTE (high latency can be high on 3g on an maxed out cell)

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