Sling coming to iPhone over 3G…and iPad?

AT&T today announced that it would soon let Sling Player ($29 App Store) work on the iPhone (AND iPAD?!?!) over its 3G network.  AT&T had originally said that Sling would cause too much traffic to flow over its network, which might cause service disruptions.  

"Slingbox, which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network. The application does not run on our 3G wireless network. Applications like this, which redirect a TV signal to a personal computer, are specifically prohibited under our [brand new]terms of service. We consider smartphones like the iPhone to be personal computers in that they have the same hardware and software attributes as PCs.

UPDATE: We've got the official press release from AT&T and pasted it below.  An exerpt: 

AT&T been been working collaboratively with Sling Media since December to test its revised SlingPlayer Mobile app, which has been recently optimized to more efficiently use 3G network bandwidth and conserve wireless spectrum. Optimization reduces the risk of the app causing congestion that could disrupt the experience of other wireless customers so, with that improvement, we will support it on our 3G mobile broadband network.

Sling, however, was always allowed to run on Blackberries, WinMob phones and Symbian phones over AT&T's network - because they weren't "computers" like the iPhone.  Additionally, Apple/AT&T let other streaming video services like MLB.com flow over 3G on the iPhone, so it isn't clear exactly why Sling was being singled out. AT&T even changed its service agreement in order to justify banning Sling.

So Sling took its case to the FCC and (surprise, surprise) AT&T is now doing what they should have done in the first place — let the Sling flow on its network.  We just hope the new wave of traffic doesn't affect AT&T's already stellar service.

AT&T's press release:

AT&T AND SLING MEDIA COLLABORATE ON SLINGPLAYER MOBILE APP
FOR 3G MOBILE BROADBAND NETWORK
 
SlingPlayer Mobile app optimized to conserve wireless spectrum
 
DALLAS, Feb. 4, 2010 – AT&T* today announced that its 3G mobile broadband network will support Sling Media, Inc.’s SlingPlayer Mobile™ app.
Sling Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), revised its wireless app to make efficient use of 3G network bandwidth – and to conserve the finite wireless spectrum available to the wireless industry. Since mid December 2009, AT&T has been testing the app and has recently notified Sling Media -- as well as Apple – that the optimized app can run on its 3G network.  The SlingPlayer Mobile app already is available for use today on AT&T’s Wi-Fi network, the nation’s largest with more than 20,000 hotspots.
“Key for us is Sling Media was willing to work with us to revise the app to make it more bandwidth sensitive. They made important changes to more efficiently use 3G network bandwidth and conserve wireless spectrum so that  we were able to support the app on our 3G mobile broadband network,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.
”Just as we’ve worked with Sling Media in this instance, we look forward to collaborating with other developers so that mobile customers can access a wider, more bandwidth-sensitive, and powerful range of applications in the future. Collaboration with developers like Sling Media ensures that all apps are optimized for our 3G network to conserve wireless spectrum and reduce the risk that an app will cause such extreme levels of congestion that they disrupt the experience of other wireless customers. Our focus continues to be on delivering the nation’s most advanced mobile broadband experience and giving our customers the widest possible array of mobile applications.”
“We’re delighted with AT&T’s decision to approve the SlingPlayer Mobile app on their 3G network,” said John Gilmore, senior vice president and general manager at Sling Media.  “SlingPlayer Mobile on AT&T’s 3G network gives customers the best experience possible for watching their home TV while on the go.”
AT&T will provide developers with wireless network optimization requirements for video and other applications by the end of the first quarter via its AT&T Developers Program website (http://developer.att.com).
AT&T’s announcement today further demonstrates its commitment to fostering the development of a wide range of mobile applications for smartphones, quick-messaging devices and other mobile devices.  In January, AT&T hosted its fourth annual Developers Summit, where it announced a range of initiatives to support app development.