When a product as successful as the iPhone comes to your network, it’s best to think big… At least that’s the mindset many industry insiders have taken regarding AT&T’s ambitious undertaking in becoming the nation’s exclusive wireless provider for the unit.
The cause for concern? While a typical smartphone user (and yes we’re talking about pretty powerful units; RIM Blackberry, PalmOne Treo and so on) eats up 40 mb per month, the average iPhone user demands ten times that amount (400 mb per month).
Since the wireless network is a finite resource, this sudden overwhelming demand for data transfer has resulted in major network congestion, especially in major cities where device user-numbers are more concentrated.
According to a recent study, over half of all iPhone users admitted that they would switch carriers if someone other than AT&T offered service. AT&T rebuts by saying that they’re working on the issue of slow connection speeds by dumping $17 billion into network improvements within the upcoming year in addition to increasing its 850 MHz-band coverage (to increase signal strength).
The point is that AT&T has been basking in the increased profits/ customer surge by securing exclusive rights to the iPhone, now they’re faced with the very real challenge of overcoming a network bogged down as a result.
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October 6th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
AT&T has been sitting on the increased profits. They should have been expanding the network to accommodate their new users, instead they sat around idly while network congestion built up.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Profits and makig people wait. I live in Monroe, La and we were promised 3G last year and it is still not here – so find wifi to make the Iphone work worth a —-
October 7th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Isn’t that what “end of the summer” was supposed to bring us?
Or did we just get MMS as a concession.
I was under the impression network improvements were scheduled as well. Don’t ask me because I still can’t rely on my phone for shit.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:11 am
I live in the UK and though they are not the most popular mobile phone operator, O2 have a pretty good 3G network. I often turn wifi off because I can get 3G so reliably that I prefer not to have the constant popups asking me to join a new wifi network as I travel around the southeast of England.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:44 am
In AT& T’s defense – in my area (SE Texas) they have improved the network dramatically – where previously where I could only connect to the Edge network with either my Iphone or air_card, I now have a solid 3G connection. I also travel over the US extensively and in the areas I travel – NYC, WashDC, Chicago I haven’t experienced many problems. In a smaller cities Charleston SC, Fort Brag, NC Abilene TX I even have have good service for the most part and were I can’t get the 3G, all I have to do is find a hotspot if I need the “high speed’ for data. Anyway as with all comments, your mileage may vary – But I am satisfied with the network upgrades in the areas I frequent.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Although I have often had reason to complain about AT&T – they have been making significant improvements in my area – suburban Portland, OR. I am gradually finding fewer and fewer reasons to complain as time goes by. Hopefully, with this new commitment from the carrier, other customers will see the same service improvements that I have.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I lucked out. I live in a west suburb of Chicago and my service is superb. But for those I’ve read about with terrible coverage, I think there should be a law that the provider must provide good coverage anywhere they are selling a contract or the customer can cancel with no penalty or pay reduced fees for service.
April 6th, 2010 at 1:35 am
They should have been expanding the network to accommodate their new users, instead they sat around idly while network congestion built up.