Informing Apple and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about a strategic shift in its policy, AT&T said on Tuesday that it would no longer block voice over IP (VoIP) iPhone apps to run on its wireless network, as it had made the necessary change to enable such apps.

The recent AT&T move is a notable one as it would now facilitate call connections from VoIP iPhone applications over the mobile provider's cellular network, vis-à-vis the earlier situation where it allowed VoIP apps to work only over a Wi-Fi network.

In reaction to the AT&T decision of allowing VoIP calls over its 3G cellular network, Apple spokesperson Natalie Kerris said: "We are very happy that AT&T is now supporting VoIP applications. We will be amending our developer agreements to get VoIP apps on the App Store and in customers' hands as soon as possible."

Thus far, AT&T had clearly been struggling in terms of coming to a decision about handling VoIP applications largely because it generates its revenue from the number of calling minutes used by customers. Though calls placed over third-party services may affect part of AT&T's revenue, the upshot is that calling minutes will still be used.

The AT&T move to allow third-party VoIP communications is apparently a calculated one, but it still underscores AT&T's readiness to keep pace with the evolving technology in the mobile arena.