Iphone wants iCall - Will Google and AT&T be left in the Dust?

The Google-versus-Apple, which was nearly non-existent just six months ago, is now more-so about the future of telecommunications than apps, phones, or even music sharing. Apple’s Iphone is currently the leader in applications and smart phone revenue worldwide (reports that Blackberry and RIM were winning sales neglected to note that in worldwide sales all other phones have been shadowed by Apple’s record shattering product) and looks to take on the wireless and business VoIP community in the not-so-distant future.

Early reports suggest that the only licensed Iphone carrier AT&T in the US is getting nervous about Apple’s rumored purchase of iCall in a deal reportedly worth $50-$60 million. The 4 year old VoIP company already supports the Iphone, which gives AT&T cause for worry since the Apple product’s main selling point for them is the pricey voice contracts that they peddle off to new users.

AT&T recently stated that 40% their date plan usage came from their Iphone customers to stream audio and video over their 3G network. Having the unlimited ability to talk for free through VoIP would mostly likely double those numbers, and more importantly, threaten the need for high volume voice plans.

What does any of this have to do with search behemoth Google? Reports on the deal for iCall come on the heels of Google’s November purchase of VoIP provider Gizmo5 at a price tag of $30 million. This, coupled with the growing rumors of a Google phone coming onto the market, almost spells a marketing battle for wireless VoIP supremacy.

In addition, since Apple is already rumored to be talking to other wireless carriers in the US after their exclusivity contract with AT&T ends in June of 2010, there seems to be little reason for worry against backlash from their main voice carrier if they intend to outsource the Iphone’s voice options to allow VoIP.

AT&T already needed some heavy convincing to finally allow the option for possible VoIP support on the Iphone – with this new deal in the works, it looks like they may have been trying to prevent their cash cow from running to other providers.