Skype has appealed to the FCC asking them to force cellphone carriers to loosen their control on the type of hardware and software which can be connected to their networks. It wants them to bring back into force the Carterfone rules which are a remembrance of the AT&T monopoly era which enabled users to connect to their network even if were neither manufactured or had the approval of AT&T.

The petition states that FCC should start with a rulemaking procedure for deciding on the whether the restrictions imposed by the carrier on access of subscribers to internet based applications are fair or not. There are a number of carriers which do not allow the use of Skype on their network

Unfortunately Skype is the only VoIP company which is fighting the lonely battle as it has not got the support of other companies. On the other hand the cellular companies are wholly opposing this petition.

It were the Carterfone rules which helped in breaking the monopoly of AT&T and enabled a number of innovations to take place but getting across the cellular networks would be a tough nut to crack as opening the doors to Skype would surely eat into their revenues and they would definitely oppose it on all counts. For Skype it might be difficult fighting on a totally different terrain and that too without any support but we must not forget that even if Skype is lonely still it's very strong.