That restriction has angered some, who have argued that the practice is anti-competitive. Those allegations have been turned up a notch now, as the that an Internet advocacy group called Free Press has asked the Federal Communications Commission to investigate whether or not the restriction is in violation of federal law.

Free Press bills itself as a nonpartisan organization concerned with media reform. In its (PDF link), it asks the government body to confirm that mobile wireless Internet access is subject to the same rules as traditional broadband Internet.

The letter cites the FCC's (PDF link) which states that "consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice" in order to "preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public Internet."

A talked with an AT&T executive about the issue:

Jim Cicconi, AT&T's top public policy executive, says AT&T has "every right" not to promote the services of a wireless rival.