Federal Communications Commission  DA 09-1736
  July 31, 2009
 
Catherine A. Novelli, Vice President 
Worldwide Government Affairs 
Apple Inc. 
901 15th Street, NW, Suite 1000 
Washington, DC  20005
RE: Google Voice and related iPhone applications
Dear Ms. Novelli:
Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice 
application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party
applications from the iPhone App Store.1 In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding 
wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested 
in a more complete understanding of this situation.
To that end, please provide answers to the following questions by close of 
business on Friday, August 21, 2009.
1. Why did Apple reject the Google Voice application for iPhone and 
remove related third-party applications from its App Store?  In addition to 
Google Voice, which related third-party applications were removed or 
have been rejected?  Please provide the specific name of each application 
and the contact information for the developer.
2. Did Apple act alone, or in consultation with AT&T, in deciding to reject 
the Google Voice application and related applications?  If the latter, please 
describe the communications between Apple and AT&T in connection 
with the decision to reject Google Voice.  Are there any contractual 
conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T that affected 
Apple’s decision in this matter? 
3. Does AT&T have any role in the approval of iPhone applications 
generally (or in certain cases)?  If so, under what circumstances, and what 
  
1 See, e.g., Jenna Wortham, “Even Google is Blocked With Apps for iPhone,” New York Times, July 28, 
2009.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554
2
role does it play?  What roles are specified in the contractual provisions 
between Apple and AT&T (or any non-contractual understandings) 
regarding the consideration of particular iPhone applications?
4. Please explain any differences between the Google Voice iPhone 
application and any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications that
Apple has approved for the iPhone.  Are any of the approved VoIP 
applications allowed to operate on AT&T’s 3G network? 
5. What other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone and for 
what reasons?  Is there a list of prohibited applications or of categories of 
applications that is provided to potential vendors/developers?  If so, is this 
posted on the iTunes website or otherwise disclosed to consumers?
6. What are the standards for considering and approving iPhone 
applications?   What is the approval process for such applications (timing, 
reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)?  What is the percentage of 
applications that are rejected?  What are the major reasons for rejecting an 
application?
Request for Confidential Treatment. If Apple requests that any information or 
documents responsive to this letter be treated in a confidential manner, it shall submit, 
along with all responsive information and documents, a statement in accordance with 
section 0.459 of the Commission's rules.  47 C.F.R. § 0.459.  Requests for confidential 
treatment must comply with the requirements of section 0.459, including the standards of 
specificity mandated by section 0.459(b).  Accordingly, “blanket” requests for 
confidentiality of a large set of documents are unacceptable.  Pursuant to section 
0.459(c), the Bureau will not consider requests that do not comply with the requirements 
of section 0.459.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.
Sincerely, 
James D. Schlichting
Acting Chief
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
Federal Communications Commission