AT&T Mobility has lifted the restriction on VoIP calls over their 3G wireless data network for the iPhone 3G and 3GS. The decision was made, according to AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega, due to “customers’ expectations.” The company has allowed other wireless devices to use VoIP applications over 3G, but never the iPhone, a decision which has placed the company in some critics’ crosshairs.  Add to that the FCC’s new push for net neutrality (the idea that all data moving along a network should be equal), and – voila VoIP-over-3G.

But is this development really good news?

We’re glad to see the 3G restriction lifted, but are also concerned about what effect frequent use of VoIP over AT&T’s already loaded 3G wireless network could do to data connectivity and network reliability, particularly in heavily populated areas.  iPhone users tend to use much more data than other smartphone owners, putting a disproportionate strain on the network. This strain was one of the reasons AT&T gave for delaying MMS support on the iPhone for months after the feature was added with the iPhone OS 3.0. 

As of this writing, the Skype iPhone app is still giving a message stating that VoIP calls require a Wi-Fi connection.  The AT&T press release regarding this policy change did not state when the change, in a real sense, would go into effect.  It is unclear whether unlocking VoIP over 3G will require a software update for each VoIP-enabled app or an iPhone system update of some type, though we would assume the former. 

We’ll keep you posted.

Vonage Mobile is a new iPhone app which allows users to make international phone calls on the cheap.  “Cheap” is a highly subjective term, of course, and in this case “cheap” ranges from very cheap ($0.01 per minute to Canada) to not so cheap ($1.25 per minute to Afghanistan).  You can see a full listing of Vonage Mobile’s international calling rates here. 

The software works with your existing Contacts list.  iPhone users can make calls either over Wi-Fi or AT&T’s 3G wireless network, while iPod touch users must, obviously, use Wi-Fi. 

Payments are made via credit card: “With Vonage Mobile you only pay for the calls you make. Simply set up your refill amount and credit/debit card information and we’ll automatically refill your account when you’re running low.”

Vonage Mobile is also available for compatible BlackBerry Smartphones.

Vonage Mobile Home Page

Download Vonage Mobile [iTunes Link]

Well, that certainly didn’t take long.  Skype for iPhone / iPod touch is now available in the iTunes App Store as a free download.

In our quick test, everything seemed to work pretty well. Call quality to standard phone lines seems good.  The app does feel a bit sluggish, though.  Of course, that’s bound to improve over time.

Click here to view it in iTunes or the iPhone App Store.

It’s been no secret that Skype has been working on an iPhone application for some time.  We first told you about their plans in January following an announcement made by Skype’s COO at CES. We were skeptical at the time, but now it looks like all is well and that free and/or very cheap calling for iPhone and iPod touch users is but hours away.

According to new stories at the CNet and PC World web sites, Skype for the iPhone will launch on Tuesday, March 31, in the iTunes App Store as a free download.  The app will allow users to call other Skype users for free and to call out to traditional landline and cell phones with SkypeOut (though this feature requires a small monthly or yearly fee).  Skype for the iPhone will also allow chatting.  Another huge plus, Skype will use your existing contacts for making calls, along with the assigned contact photo, if available.

Unfortunately – and unsurprisingly – you won’t be able to place regular Skype or SkypeOut calls using 3G; voice calling over Skype will require a Wi-Fi connection.  Users will be able to chat over a non-Wi-Fi data connection, however.

We’re fairly sure the regular Skype calls will sound pretty good on the iPhone, particularly since Wi-Fi is required.  But how the app will perform for SkypeOut calls remains to be seen, but we’ll be back with our review after the app debuts tomorrow.  We also assume that when iPhone 3.0 hits later this year, you’ll be able to receive notifications of incoming Skype calls even when the app isn’t running. This feature alone will add great value to the Skype service on the iPhone.

Skype is coming to the iPhone, at least according to Skype’s COO, Scott Durschlag.  Mr. Durschlag announced at CES that a version of Skype for the iPhone (and presumably the 2nd Generation iPod touch) is under development.

Apple has banned iPhone VoIP software from using cellular data connections up to now, since such services could cut down on the amount of talk time users buy from AT&T each month.  The VoIP software that is available for the iPhone is limited to Wi-Fi connections.

Presumably, the same would be true of Skype for the iPhone. 

We’ll file this under “coming soon” rather than ‘fat chance” for the time being, but it somehow seems unlikely that Apple and AT&T Wireless would want to allow such a widely-used service to horn in on their lucrative iPhone calling plans.  And, since Apple controls what programs appear in the App Store, it could do what Microsoft and other smartphone OS companies can’t – block Skype from offering competition for voice service.

As for us, we’d welcome Skype on the iPhone in a big way.