The brouhaha that’s been brewing since AT&T and Apple squelched the Google Voice app for iPhone back in July just took an interesting turn. In an apparent reversal, and capitulation to an FCC inquiry, AT&T now says it will permit iPhone VoIP apps—those phone services that allow you to place voice calls over the Internet at little or money—to operate over its 3G and 2G networks.

iPhone (and Touch) users already have the ability to make VoIP calls via Skype service when they're within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot—but not over AT&T's 3G network. AT&T has a history of curbing iPhone access to its network for fear of overloads. Only in late September did it begin allowing iPhone users to send text messages with pictures (MMS).

This issue of allowing people to bypass their networks to make phone calls has been far more contentious. Many consumer groups, including Consumers Union advocates, contend that blocking such innovative apps is unfair to consumers. 

The announcement, CU advocates say, is a step in the right direction. However, AT&T's new VoIP offer may yet prove to be a very limited victory for consumers. Blackberry users can already make VoiP calls via Skype and other providers on AT&T's 3G network. However, the calls go over the voice portion of the network, so consumers use up their minutes. The only time it pays to use Skype over 3G is when calling foreign countries, which will be charged as domestic minutes rather that the much pricier foreign minutes.

No details of permitted apps or app rollout have been released. —Mike Gikas