Power, Freedom and Money
Skype, Apple, and the Carriers
April 2009 – Skype Journal
Phil Wolff, @evanwolf

It sounds innocent enough.

Apple says iPhone is a computer
that looks like a phone.

Carrier says: no Skype?

Apple says:
we'll write a little no-VoIP clause
in the developer contract,
don't worry, AT&T.

Time passes

iPhone becomes
a game changing success

More time passes

Skype launches their iPhone app

Millions of people squeal with glee

Millions of people squeal with glee
and download

Skype tops iTunes app store charts
worldwide

And then they try to Skype

And then they try to Skype
while walking around or driving

And can't.

Not allowed.

Skype says:
Look at Apple,
they forced us.

Apple says:
Look at AT&T,
they forced us.

AT&T says:
It's our service.
take it or leave it.

Citizens ask:
What is the difference
between
a PC
and
a mobile phone?

Why is it evil for ISPs
like AT&T and Deutsche Telekom
to control my PC experience?

ISPs for PCs shall not control
What I see

ISPs for PCs shall not control
What I say

ISPs for PCs shall not control
What software I use

ISPs for PCs shall not control
What gear I use

Because that would be wrong

Why can they say \"no\" when I do
the same thing on my mobile?

Even on a mobile computer?

Why does my freedom end there?

And what can I do about it?

Skype picks fights

David v. Goliath et al fights

2007

Skype petitions the US Federal
Communications

The Carterfone decision
let you plug any phone
into the wall of your home
(just don’t harm the phone system)

“Mobile Carterfone:”
FCC would force mobile carriers
to permit consumers
to use any device on a network

Skype says:
“Mobile Carterfone” will improve:
customer choice,
competition,
innovation

Carriers fight Skype’s six page letter
with a multimillion dollar lobbying,
astroturfing, and PR campaign

Outcome:
The FCC doesn’t act.

2008

The big US mobile operators say
they are open
and getting more open

Mobile operators swear allegiance
to all things open,
so the FCC
and the American people
should be happy

Skype writes the FCC,
details their lies and distortions

Outcome:
Egg on carrier faces
Lots of industry press
No mainstream notice
Carriers still behave badly

2009

Skype for iPhone launches

Skype points out
AT&T blocks mobile Skype calling

AT&T forced to justify
anticompetitive,
anti-consumer,
anti-Skype practices

2006, 2007, 2008
Skype argues US government
must act.

Force meaningful consumer choice

Protect civil liberties

Lower barriers to competition

Open access to wireless networks

Let Skypers Skype

Outcome:
We'll see

Is Skype picking good fights to
fight?

How loud
will people shout
for the freedom to Skype
away from Wi-Fi?

Will consumer pull
sway carriers
to permit Skype?

Or will citizen activism
regulate open access?