Posted by Michael Disabato
AT&T has finally admitted New York and San Francisco have network problems. I wonder when they’ll admit the rest of their network is in the tank as well.
Before you reach for the reply key, remember one really important thing: this is not the old AT&T where proper engineering was de regeur. The old AT&T would not be having these problems. This is the NEW AT&T, otherwise known as SBC. And SBC always had this kind of problem. SBC did it on the cheap, cutting corners where they could without regard to customer service.
I watched them take Ameritech and kill the excellent service we had. I watched them take AT&T wireless into Cingular and repeat the process. And now we are reaping what they have sown.
The old AT&T might have realized the iPhone is a game changer, and they might just have to upgrade in advance of its release. The new AT&T only saw customer lock-in and more revenue. AT&T has not reduced churn because of its network. It’s reduced churn because the iPhone is exclusive to it. Once that agreement dies, and it will, the churn rate will go through the roof.
As for the network, AT&T is now whining that iPhone users consume more bandwidth than their other smartphone users. No kidding. Their other smartphones can’t stream video, download apps, or use location services, all of which suck bits over the air. Did they think we were going to buy these things and just look at them??? Yeah. Right.
So to compensate for their poor planning, they plan to raise rates. I wouldn’t have a problem with that if the service improved, but it won’t. So I’ll end up paying more and getting less. So will you.
It’s time to end the exclusive lock-ins with the mobile operators. If customers were free to vote with their wallets, the network load would even out. Of course, that’s not going to happen, because AT&T will lose revenue.
It’s up to you, folks. Get on your congress critters to change this around and give us control of the devices we’ve paid for. Make sure you tell AT&T what you think of their price increases, and if all else fails, jailbreak the phone and go to another carrier.
It’s your wallet.
Michael
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