FCC asks why Apple rejected Google iPhone application

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission sent letters to Apple Inc., Google Inc. and AT&T Inc. seeking more information on why Apple rejected a Google application for the iPhone that lets people make free calls.

The letters, sent today, also ask whether Apple consulted AT&T when deciding to reject the application and whether AT&T has any role in approving iPhone software.

Google, owner of the world's most popular search engine, said this week that it submitted the request for its Google Voice application to be made available on the iPhone six weeks ago. Google Voice lets users place U.S. calls, send text messages and organize voice mails -- without paying service fees. Both Apple and Google declined to say why the request was denied.

Google, based in Mountain View, California, fell $2.59 to $443.05 today in Nasdaq Stock Market trading. Apple rose 60 cents to $163.39, while AT&T lost 11 cents to $26.23 on the New York Stock Exchange.

"AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store," said Fletcher Cook, a spokesman for Dallas-based AT&T. He referred enquiries to Apple.

Apple declined to comment, said Steve Dowling, a spokesman for the Cupertino, California-based company. Adam Kovacevich, a spokesman for Google, didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.