The FCC has launched an inquiry into why Apple rejected Google Voice for the iPhone platform. The Wall Street Journal reported late on Friday that the federal agency has sent letters to Apple, Google, and AT&T asking why Google's own Google Voice app was rejected, and why third party Google Voice apps were pulled earlier this week.
In a statement provided to the Journal, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said the FCC "has a mission to foster a competitive wireless marketplace, protect and empower consumers, and promote innovation and investment. [The letters] reflect the Commission's proactive approach to getting the facts and data necessary to make the best policy decisions."
The agency also wants to know whether or not AT&T was consulted as part of the decision-making process. On July 6th, the FCC had expressed an interest in whether or not relationships between carriers like AT&T and handset developers like Apple present antitrust concerns. Friday's letters are an aspect of that line of investigation from the FCC.