Google / Google Voice / Gizmo5 or any SIP provider offers data calls. I've been messing around with this on my iPad and it's very close to being viable. There's no question it is on Android.
I hope Apple keeps moving in this direction but I doubt they'll be the first to route around the carriers. Right now all signs point to Apple being happily engaged to AT&T.
"[Skype], I think, is a first step in the direction of a mobile “phone” with no mobile carrier. If and when [Skype] is supported over 3G in addition to Wi-Fi, it’ll be data, not voice — megabytes, not minutes."
Skype already has a device that works on 3G: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Skypephone_Series
And today, Skype has 529 million accounts, whereas FaceTime has 600,000 (the number of pre-ordered iPhone 4s).
It's not at all clear to me how Apple expects FaceTime to encroach on Skype's market share.
It's just the cellular networks are much better and don't have to fear wifi replacing them.
http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/05/iphone_calling_over_3g.htm...
The carriers are flexing their leverage over Apple/FaceTime and Skype to fight any free VoIP services on their networks. Look for a paid FaceTime-over-cell-data-network plan to emerge in short order, with revenues going straight to the carrier, along with Skype's.
We all just have to suck it up now with AT&T but nobody is happy with the status quo.
What are the overheads for yourself to provide a quality wi-fi enabled home. Your workplace, likewise, expends the effort to be a device hub. On-the-go data everywhere? It's likely more difficult than you think.
The cell-tower network was funded by everyone owning a mobile phone to exchange calls... data hungry devices are still in the minority. Apple could have rolled their own "A4" 3G network if feasible. It's in their DNA to control all the pipes. The fact that they haven't tells me that the pipes are prohibitively expensive.
The only viable alternative to ATT currently would be another carrier. IE, the logic of the original post was rather strained.
Sure, but they were also happily engaged to the PowerPC chip while they had the Intel-compatible OS X waiting in the wings. It would behoove Apple to have a strategy for routing around the carriers at such time that a relationship with said carriers is no longer advantageous to them.