Press Release
AT&T Finally Opts to Lift Arbitrary SlingPlayer Ban on iPhone
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- Today, AT&T announced the approval of Sling Media's mobile video application for the iPhone, after nearly a year of blocking the video application that allows users to access programming from their home televisions.
The application was originally blocked by AT&T because the company claimed that the SlingPlayer application would create too much congestion on AT&T's 3G network, even though it met Apple's technical requirements for iPhone apps. AT&T has now accepted SlingPlayer, but given the continuing high volume of consumer complaints, it is not clear whether substantial improvements have been made to AT&T's network since the application was rejected.
In June, AT&T and Apple approved a Major League Baseball video application that streams baseball games to the iPhone, an application that uses more network bandwidth than SlingPlayer, but AT&T did not reconsider Sling Media’s application at that time.
Similarly, VoIP applications like Skype, were blocked from the iPhone for years. Only after the Federal Communications Commission sent a letter inquiring into the blocking of Google Voice -- and the initiation of the agency's Network Neutrality proceeding -- did AT&T approve VoIP applications on the iPhone.
Chris Riley, policy counsel at Free Press, made the following statement:
"We are glad to see SlingPlayer take its rightful place in the app store. But the incident highlights AT&T's anticompetitive and anti-consumer veto at work. Some video applications are approved and some are not - without clear technical differences. The process gives the appearance that app approval is a means for AT&T to pick winners and losers by cloaking its business decisions as congestion concerns. This process could stifle innovation, investment, and economic growth.
"AT&T’s behavior is a case in point as to the need for Network Neutrality rules for all platforms. Internet access service providers have strong incentives to obstruct would-be competitors, and they will use whatever means are at their disposal to further them. AT&T doesn't get to approve every Web site -- and it shouldn't get to approve every app.
"The FCC's scrutiny of these approval processes has been the only effective method for removing these unreasonable barriers set up by carriers -- and the agency must continue to be the smart cop on the beat."
The application was originally blocked by AT&T because the company claimed that the SlingPlayer application would create too much congestion on AT&T's 3G network, even though it met Apple's technical requirements for iPhone apps. AT&T has now accepted SlingPlayer, but given the continuing high volume of consumer complaints, it is not clear whether substantial improvements have been made to AT&T's network since the application was rejected.
In June, AT&T and Apple approved a Major League Baseball video application that streams baseball games to the iPhone, an application that uses more network bandwidth than SlingPlayer, but AT&T did not reconsider Sling Media’s application at that time.
Similarly, VoIP applications like Skype, were blocked from the iPhone for years. Only after the Federal Communications Commission sent a letter inquiring into the blocking of Google Voice -- and the initiation of the agency's Network Neutrality proceeding -- did AT&T approve VoIP applications on the iPhone.
Chris Riley, policy counsel at Free Press, made the following statement:
"We are glad to see SlingPlayer take its rightful place in the app store. But the incident highlights AT&T's anticompetitive and anti-consumer veto at work. Some video applications are approved and some are not - without clear technical differences. The process gives the appearance that app approval is a means for AT&T to pick winners and losers by cloaking its business decisions as congestion concerns. This process could stifle innovation, investment, and economic growth.
"AT&T’s behavior is a case in point as to the need for Network Neutrality rules for all platforms. Internet access service providers have strong incentives to obstruct would-be competitors, and they will use whatever means are at their disposal to further them. AT&T doesn't get to approve every Web site -- and it shouldn't get to approve every app.
"The FCC's scrutiny of these approval processes has been the only effective method for removing these unreasonable barriers set up by carriers -- and the agency must continue to be the smart cop on the beat."
