Print 21 comment(s) - last by Hare.. on Oct 31 at 10:17 AM

Google paints picture of abusive scammers sabotaging its service with pricey connections

Google Voice is an intriguing service from the internet giant that allows free text messaging, free domestic calling (including to Canada), and reduced international calling rates.  The service hasn't been embraced by all handset makers, however.  Apple quickly rejected a Google Voice app for the iPhone, prompting a FCC inquiry.

AT&T has come forth and accused Google of everything from being a monopoly to doctoring the media.  The most pertinent accusations to the Google Voice conflict are AT&T's claims that Google is breaking the law by blocking numbers to its service.

Google already said that it isn't breaking the law as the service is free and thus is not subject to the same restrictions as traditional telecoms.  Now it's Washington Telecom and Media Counsel, Richard Whitt, has posted a blog sharing Google's perspective in greater detail.

The post describes, "Earlier this year, we noticed an extremely high number of calls were being made to an extremely small number of destinations. In fact, the top 10 telephone prefixes -- the area code plus the first three digits of a seven digit number, e.g., 555-555-XXXX -- generated more than 160 times the expected traffic volumes, and accounted for a whopping 26 percent of our monthly connection costs."

Google claims that these numbers were mostly adult chat and "free" conference call lines, with high associated costs.  In response to the criticism, Google say it has been trying to block calls on a "more granular level".  It says it now only blocks about 100 numbers, which it is confident are part of traffic-pumping schemes.

Instead of facing criticism, Google feels it deserves praise for highlighting a flawed system.  It says that the higher costs of calls on traditional phone plans, and the existence of traffic pumping schemes point to a broken system.  Writes Mr. Whitt, "We still believe the Commission needs to repair our nation's broken carrier compensation system."

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By cdwilliams1 on 10/30/2009 11:42:39 AM , Rating: 2
When you use google voice, you are not really making a telephone call. You are using your data connection to the internet to send data. You have to pay for that connection, that data. You are not making a telephone call for free, as you are not making a telephone call. It is no different than making a recording of a speech in digital format, then copying that file (FTP, torrent, attaching to an email, etc) and sending it to someone else for them to play back.

Well, that's the thing though. What you're describing *is* a telephone call - or - it would be if Google voice didn't exist. The telecoms profit heavily off long distance phone calls and business lines in particular (but not much at all on residential lines). What Google voice is doing is killing the cash cow.

This cash cow heavily subsidizies your internet connection. If the Google were to kill the cash cow of long distance and business telephone lines the telecoms will certainly raise rates on your internet pipe or introduce throttling, or usage caps, or metered service to make up the difference.

I hate to play devil's advocate as I despise most telecoms but I can see why they have a beef. Google is killing off one of their most profitable areas, AND they are using the carriers own infrastructure to make it happen.

