Google Voice Guilty Of Traffic Pumping?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating Google Voice for blocking telephone calls from users that use Google Voice to call telephone numbers in certain rural areas.
From Google Blog: The reason we restrict calls to certain local phone carriers’ numbers is simple. Not only do they charge exorbitant termination rates for calls, but they also partner with adult sex chat lines and “free” conference calling centers to drive high volumes of traffic. This practice has been called “access stimulation” or “traffic pumping” (clearly by someone with a sense of humor). Google Voice is a free application and we want to keep it that way for all our users — which we could not afford to do if we paid these ludicrously high charges.
Apple Answers FCC’s Query On Rejection Of Google Voice App
Apple has official answered 6 questions dished out by the FCC regarding the rejection of Google Voice App. This is what Apple has to say:
Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail.
Source: Apple Answers the FCC’s Questions
