Welcome! Politics makes strange bedfellows, and technology is no exception. Teknocratix brings you the latest news and analysis of the politics of tech.
|
By Josh Centers on October 16th, 2009
 The battle between AT&T and Google is getting hotter, as the telecommunications giant sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission Wednesday, calling for tighter regulations of the search juggernaut’s Google Voice service.
If you haven’t been keeping up, let us bring you up to speed. Back during the summer, Apple told Google that it couldn’t play with its favorite toy in the whole wide world, the iPhone. Mommy FCC stepped in and asked what was going on. Apple said Google was trying
Continue reading Google Wars: The Death Star Strikes Back
By Josh Centers on October 10th, 2009
 The Federal Communications Communication began an inquiry yesterday into Google Voice, the invite-only call forwarding and voicemail service.
The issue at hand is Google’s blocking of calls to select rural areas. Rural carriers are allowed to charge high termination fees. Fees that carriers such as AT&T are usually forced to absorb. Some businesses, such as sex hotlines and conference calling services, set up shop in these places to take advantage.
However, the FCC does not allow phone companies to block outgoing phone calls. AT&T
Continue reading FCC Launches Probe into Google Voice
By Josh Centers on October 9th, 2009
 Jon Healy of the Los Angeles Times has posted an audio interview with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, covering everything from Google Voice to wireless broadband. But perhaps the most interesting revelation is that Genachwoski has not yet determined if the FCC has the authority to regulate the iPhone’s App Store. He definitely didn’t say no (MP3 link.)
The entire interview (MP3 link) clocks in at 55 minutes, and the Times was nice enough to split it up by topic. But if
Continue reading Genachowski: FCC Might Regulate App Store
By Josh Centers on October 7th, 2009
 Today AT&T, in a surprise announcement, said it will begin allowing VoIP applications to utilize its 3G network. Before now, VoIP apps such as Vonage and Skype were allowed on Apple’s iPhone, under the condition that they be restricted to Wi-Fi or traditional telephone airtime.
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
Continue reading AT&T, Under FCC Pressure, Now Allowing VoIP Over 3G for iPhone
By Josh Centers on October 6th, 2009
 ISP and VoIP provider Speakeasy is following MagicJack and Google Voice in blocking calls to rural areas, and may be violating FCC regulations in doing so.
Harold Feld at Wetmachine.com posted an email on Oct. 1, sent by Michael Czerwinski, VP of Customer Service at Speakeasy, informing users of the update to the Terms of Service. The email explains that certain numbers are being blocked, such as those from “adult lines” and “free conferencing” services that
Continue reading Speakeasy Latest VoIP Provider to Block Calls, Thumb Nose at FCC
|
The battle between AT&T and Google is getting hotter, as the telecommunications giant sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission Wednesday, calling for tighter regulations of the search juggernaut’s Google Voice service.
