Apple Inc.’s 3G iPhone is making its way across the world, with reportedly more than 1 million sold in the first weekend, and AT&T Mobility spokesman Mark Siegel said the carrier couldn’t be more thrilled. However, it doesn’t look as though all AT&T Mobility customers feel the same way. Word on the street (well actually, on Internet message boards) is that the release of the latest iPhone has taken a toll on AT&T Mobility’s network. User frustrations range from signal strength and reception to slow speeds. AT&T Mobility however, said its received no complaints and stayed firm that there are no network problems.
“I don’t know what you’re seeing, but our network has worked superbly well,” Siegel said.
Peanut gallery
Some people disagree. Unsure of whether the problems are because of the phone or the network, customers have begun posting comments about their issues. Here are some examples from an Apple discussion board:
“Seems the reception is really unsteady (even in Manhattan) and today the signal disappeared entirely, stating “no network” for over an hour (I was walking around during this time in an area where I know I always get reception).”
“I have the same problem here in Los Angeles. Very low 3G signal going to no service sometimes, then service a minute or two later.
“I actually swapped it out on Sunday thinking it was my phone. It’s not. Still crummy reception, albeit AT&T showing great 3G service.”
“Hi there. I live in Philadelphia, PA in the USA and having the exact same problem! It is terrible. The moment I turn off 3G on the iPhone, my service defaults to EDGE and I get 5 bars like I was used to getting on my 2G iPhone.”
Complaints are not only with signal strength. Multiple postings on the HowardForums Web site displayed customers’ annoyances with network speed, iPhone or no iPhone. Some examples include:
“I was only getting 200 kbps today, then up to 500 kbps. I always get 1.2 Mbps daily here, so it’s definitely slower. However I went up about 15 miles in the middle of nowhere on 3G and hit 1.1 Mbps. Maybe I’ll move up there in the desert.”
“I was here in San Antonio . and I did notice the 3G network seem a little slower than usual still today. This was in town in places where it is usually consistently fast.”
“Now at 12 a.m., I am getting a constant 450 kbps on my iPhone 3G. But during the day I get nothing but 50-100 kbps. Hope it is better tomorrow.”
“3G data is sucking rather hard in the Boston area for me . fluctuating speeds ranging from 55 kbits/s to 500 kbits/s while mostly staying at 100-200 kbits/s range. I hope this is temporary.”
AT&T Mobility steadfast
Siegel said problems could be based on a variety of causes including area, the device, etc.
“After all, wireless is a shared network,” he said.
Bill Ho, of Current Analysis, agreed.
“I’d hope and expect that AT&T planners would have engineered the network robustly for surges in demand,” Ho said. “Additionally, like all wireless data networks, I’d have to think it depends on the signal strength and the usage that a user is getting from a cell tower/sector.”
The 3G iPhone experienced stalled activations in many stores. AT&T Mobility said the activation headaches were caused from the devices not synching to Apple’s iTunes in retail outlets, which is a final and necessary step of the activation process. AT&T Mobility and Apple advised customers having trouble activating the phone in stores to do so at home, even though in-store activation was important to AT&T Mobility this year.
