Apple, AT&T, Google respond to FCC questions regarding Google Voice scandal

Yesterday afternoon Apple, AT&T, and Google all publicly released copies of the letters they sent to the FCC in response to the government agency's questions concerning the apparent rejection of Google's Google Voice application for inclusion in Apple's App Store. The FCC was interested in learning what part, if any, AT&T had in the decision process, and what Google was told by Apple, among other things. Each company was sent a series of questions it was to answer.

The results of the responses seem to indicate that AT&T played no part at all in the rejection of Google Voice. AT&T claims to have not been consulted at all, and Apple backs that up by claiming to have acted alone. Apple also says that the Google Voice application was not rejected, but is still being considered because of how it alters some fundamental functionality of the iPhone, such as how the voicemail system works. From the Apple document:

"The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone's distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone's core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail. Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing this distinct and innovative way to seamlessly deliver core functionality of the iPhone."

You can read the Apple response here, the AT&T response here, and the Google response here (edited for public viewing by Google).