FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: February 4, 2010
Contact: Liz Rose, Communications Director, 202-265-1490 x 32 or 202-355-3559

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."

Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Free Press does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media and universal access to communications.