The entire interview (MP3 link) clocks in at 55 minutes, and the Times was nice enough to split it up by topic. But if you don’t have that kind of time, here’s the highlights:

• He calls the DTV transition, “largely a success,” despite a few lingering issues.
• Says that the FCC will do a review of media ownership and consolidation next year.
• Says he’s trying to institute a “culture of excellence” at the FCC.
• Confirms that net neutrality will apply to both wired and wireless networks, but there will be differences due to technical reasons.
• Restates that “we need more spectrum,” for wireless broadband.
• On applying decency rules to mediums other than broadcast television and radio: “The FCC shouldn’t enter the content world lightly, and the FCC should understand that it’s a government agency very much bound by the First Amendment.”
• Calls for greater transparency in cellular billing.
• Called AT&T’s change of heart on VoIP over 3G, a “very welcome development.”

Back in August AT&T admitted, in a letter to the FCC (PDF), to having an agreement with Apple to not create applications that would use their 3G network for VoIP.

It seems odd that AT&T would make this move now, considering the overwhelming strain the iPhone has put on their network. The only reasonable explanation appears to be the increased scrutiny it has received from the Federal Communications Commission in the past few months.

AT&T’s recent FCC problems began when Apple rejected the Google Voice iPhone application. The FCC subsequently launched an inquiry. Apple, Google, and AT&T all responded. Apple denied rejecting the application, saying it was still under review, and added that AT&T had nothing to do with its rejection. AT&T also maintained its innocence. Google placed the blame squarely on Apple’s Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, saying that he personally rejected the application.

Later came more FCC drama, in the form of new net neutrality proposals that could apply to cellular networks, as well as AT&T’s insistence to the FCC that Google Voice’s call-blocking practices were in violation of the same net neutrality principals Google claims to support.

There’s no doubt that AT&T is feeling pressure from the FCC. This could be an attempt to make a case that net neutrality isn’t necessary, at least on cell networks. And I think it’s a safe guess that there’s plenty going on behind the scenes that the general public isn’t privy to. At least not yet.

Whether Apple will go along with this new arrangement and actually approve a 3G VoIP app is yet to be seen. If they do, it could mean free calls for iPhone owners. Assuming AT&T’s network holds up.

UPDATE: David Pogue of the New York Times confirms that Apple is working to get 3G VoIP apps out as soon as possible.