With Apple's iOS 6 operating system,
iPhone and iPad users can make FaceTime video calls over 3G. But will the UK's mobile networks actually allow it?
The answer seems to be yes.
Wired.co.uk contacted all of the UK's major mobile networks and spokespeople from Orange, T-Mobile, O2 and EE all confirmed that their customers will be able to use FaceTime over 3G out of their regular data bundles.
Vodafone is a little different. A spokesperson explained that customers need to have VoIP included in their package in order to use FaceTime over 3G, as opposed to just using their regular data.
Customers will need to upgrade to a package that includes this, or pay to add VoIP support to their current price plan. Customers who sign up for an iPhone 5, however, will get the VoIP service included as part of their package.
Three has not yet confirmed its position on the feature.
Some controversy ensued Stateside when AT&T, a major US mobile network, said it would restrict which 3G data packages FaceTime could be used over. British networks appear to be taking a much more leniant -- and fair -- approach.
It's surprising in some ways. Currently, the average cost of making a standard videocall in the UK is 47p -- per minute (based on O2, Three and Vodafone prices). With FaceTime, it's just part of your data allowance.
Realistically, it's likely that the prohibitive cost of making a video call at the moment stops most people even bothering (when was the last time you did it?), and as such the networks won't miss much of that business. Networks can make more money in the long run by getting people to use as much data as possible and offering competitive prices to enable it.
iOS 6 will be released on 19 September for current iPhones and iPads. The iPhone 5 will be released on 21 September and feature iOS 6 as standard.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
