Verizon: too early to discuss FaceTime charges over 3G

One of the most anticipated features of Apple’s upcoming iOS 6 would be the ability to FaceTime over 3G – without having to jailbreak your iOS device. However, it looks like it might not be something that everybody in the US will want to do, especially after discovering that AT&T might have plans to charge customers for using such a feature. What about the other carriers? Well, the folks over at GottaBeMobile decided to ask Verizon and were given the following response:

“The timing of any pricing conversations related to future versions of iOS is premature.”

While it makes sense for a carrier to want to squeeze as much money from its consumers as possible, it doesn’t make any sense to charge for only FaceTime and not the plethora of apps available. Users have been able to make video calls over 3G via apps like Skype, Tango, Fring without incurring any additional costs beyond their initial data plans. Singling FaceTime out doesn’t make much sense – unless the carriers have been promised incentives for selling more non-iOS devices.

Let’s hope the carriers come to their senses about this issue.

George Wong
Categories: Apple, Cellphones, Tablets
Tags: facetime, iOS, ios 6, Verizon