The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began an inquiry into Apple Inc’s rejection of a Google Inc application for the iPhone that allows people to make free calls.
In letters sent on Friday, the FCC asked whether Apple consulted with AT&T Inc, the exclusive US wireless-service provider for the iPhone, when deciding to reject the application and whether AT&T has any role in approving iPhone software.
Google, owner of the world’s most popular search engine, said this week that Apple rejected its request, submitted six weeks ago, that the Google Voice application be made available on the iPhone. Google Voice lets users place US calls, send text messages and organize voice mails without charging fees.
Apple is the sole source of distribution for iPhone programs, which are offered through the online App Store it opened in July last year. More than 65,000 programs are available. Apple spokesman Steve Dowling declined to say why the request was denied or comment on the FCC inquiry.
The government is seeking more information about Apple’s decision because of its interest in wireless open-access and exclusivity deals between handset makers and carriers, according to the letter sent to Apple by James Schlichting, acting chief of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
“Are there any contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T that affected Apple’s decision in this matter?” Schlichting asked Apple.
AT&T received the letter and will respond, said Fletcher Cook, a spokesman for the Dallas-based company.
“AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store,” Cook said, and referred questions to Apple.
“We will be supplying the information that the commission has requested,” Katie Watson, a spokeswoman for Google, said in an e-mailed statement.
The three companies have until Aug. 21 to respond.
AT&T likely saw Google Voice as a threat and put pressure on Apple, Carl Howe, an analyst at Yankee Group in Boston, said earlier this week.
Apple may also be trying to keep its phone from getting too complicated, he said.
The iPhone already comes preloaded with other Google applications, including the YouTube video-sharing site and Google Maps, and it uses Google as its search engine.
Apple’s iPhone applications have helped the company gobble up market share and buoy profit at AT&T.
Google Voice, unveiled this year, works on other smartphones, such as Research In Motion Ltd’s BlackBerry and devices running the Android operating system from Google.
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