The distinctions being drawn seem bizarre and arbitrary to many customers who argue that data is data—I paid for it and should control what I use it on, not AT&T. It’s even stranger because AT&T isn’t targeting “video chat” apps with its restriction; it is only targeting FaceTime.What is going on here?

via AT&T, have you no shame? | Ars Technica.

So what’s the solution? Competition plays a key role. While we would prefer a slightly stronger standard for wireless net neutrality, customers generally do have more choice when it comes to wireless carriers than they do in the wired world. Switching isn’t easy, especially in the US world of contract and early termination fees, so the mere existence of competition doesn’t always work magic, but those who want to use FaceTime do at least have the choice of moving to a company like Sprint.

“By blocking FaceTime for many of its customers, AT&T is violating the FCC’s Open Internet rules,” Bergmayer said in a statement. “These rules state that mobile providers shall not ‘block applications that compete with the provider’s voice or video telephony services.’ Although carriers are permitted to engage in ‘reasonable network management,’ there is no technical reason why one data plan should be able to access FaceTime, and another not.”

via AT&T won’t charge for FaceTime over 3G, but will require shared data (Updated) | Ars Technica.