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Could Apple’s FaceTime become available over 3G?

Apple’s Skype alternative FaceTime is available on the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and new iPad and has been around for just over two years now, but you can only use it over WiFi and not 3G networks. However, one crafty-eyed iPhone user has spotted a message hinting that we will finally see video calling over 3G coming to iOS.

 Apple's FaceTime on iPhone 4/4S, screen shot 

Tech Radar reports the mystery message appeared when the user disabled 3G connectivity while on a FaceTime call, at which point the following message appeared: “Disabling 3G may end FaceTime” and an additional: “Are you sure you want to disable 3G?.”

As FaceTime currently only works over a WiFi connection, the fact of whether 3G is connected or not should have been unimportant, hinting at the possibility of FaceTime being able to work over 3G.

The reason FaceTime is a WiFi only feature has a lot to do with the quantity of data being used – the networks might not be able to handle it. But with faster connectivity speeds like HSDPA+ appearing on devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 and new iPad, and 4G being trialled in some areas, we’re sure it won’t be long before Facetime will be available over mobile networks.

We’ll keep you updated with more news on the subject as it comes in.

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