Upon the release of the 3GS iPhone this summer many felt a bit envious, that envy has turned into downright hatred over the last few months as many with earlier models have struggled with an overburdened network based on the introduction of the 3GS. Users, especially in Chicago, San Francisco, and New York are experiencing not only lagging data speeds but also: dropped calls, poor reception and often the inability to make a simple phone call.

I, for one, can live with slower data transfers. My first mobile phone weighed in at just over ten pounds and this before I even had an email address. Though over the years I’ve come to expect the ability to access the Internet from my pocket, I also remember the connecting whine of a dial-up modem. I recently sat next to someone on a flight from Atlanta to New York who would not stop complaining about the slow speed of his in-flight Internet. The idea that you could complain about something that did not exist a mere six months ago in my opinion is the acme of folly. That said, dropped calls, or the inability to make, god forbid, an emergency call is unacceptable. There is no question that AT&T scored a major coup with the exclusive contract with Apple to provide service for the iPhone but they need to get there act together. In two years time no one will care about this exclusive, but rather the poor job AT&T has done servicing this agreement.

In AT&T’s defense it seems they are not the only carrier experiencing these difficulties. Officials with O2 across the pond have acknowledged similar issues with their network, not unlike AT&T, since the 3GS hit the shelves. The primary difference between these two companies is that AT&T’s issues are widespread while O2’s issues seem largely confined to the Greater London area. Moreover, O2 is waiting for final governmental approval for the installation of an additional 200 cell towers and has publicly apologized. AT&T needs to take a page out of O2’s playbook and bite the bullet, apologize, and remedy this untenable situation.

This is an AT&T on iPhone failure article by The Apps Machine

AT&T’s brand has suffered a complete meltdown in 2009 with alleged reception and dropped call problems in San Francisco and New York City.  Now after ranking the lowest in Consumer Reports and fighting a losing war against Verizon on TV, they have become a joke on NBC’s Saturday Night Live.

Comedian Seth Meyers on SNL’s “Weedend Update” segment reports:

“It was reported this week that Google would soon launch its own cellphone as a challenge to the iPhone,” Meyers said in the mock newscast. “Also a challenge to the iPhone? Making phone calls.”

Although Meyer did not specifically mention AT&T in this joke.  Most people should realize by now that iPhone’s troubles at making phone calls is due to AT&T’s poor network capacity at handling what they call data hogs.  What’s worse, AT&T’s own problems are making the iPhone look bad in the public’s eye.

Saturday’s SNL joke is another addition to AT&T’s already dismal reputation.  Hopefully, a Verizon iPhone will be available next year so consumers will have better access to making cell phone calls.

This is an AT&T failure post by the Apps Machine

Apparently, AT&T is trying to destroy its public image.  Ralph de la Vega, chief executive of AT&T Wireless,  publicly stated:

“Wireless data hogs who jam the airwaves by watching video on their iPhones will be put on tighter leashes, …[AT&T] will also give high-bandwidth users incentives to “reduce or modify their usage.”

Hey, That’s you, iPhone owner! If you use a lot of internet streaming video or radio apps over 3G, you are probably a wireless data hog.  You are the 3% of the smart phone users that use 40% of AT&T’s network capacity.  AT&T don’t like you, and you will be trained and put on a leash like a dog to “reduce or modify your iPhone 3G data usage.”

Hmmm…  How can a company executive refer their customers as hogs and animals that need to be put on a leash? That is absurd.  That will really anger their customers and further deteriorate their sagging band.  How would you feel if someone called you a hog for just using the services you’ve rightly purchased.  Hey, AT&T, you set the price, $30 unlimited data fee.  If you can’t handle it, don’t offer this service in the first place.  There will be people that use more wireless internet than others.  That is just how internet works.

AT&T hinted that they will charge more for higher data usage.  I suspect it may begin with the next generation iPhone launch.  Lots of people with iPhone 3G’s will need to renew their contracts to get the latest iPhone model.  The newest model will probably encourage even more wireless data use with its new features.  That will be a perfect time to implement their “incentive” to reduce or modify iPhone data hog’s usage.

Via Huffington Post
This is a post by The Apps Machine

As expected. The AT&T Marks the Spot iPhone app is doing more harm than good to the AT&T brand.  Just look at this screen .  You have just suffered through an AT&T network failure.  Now even the app is failing you . This is too much AT&T failure for one day.  Time for some Tylenol.

Via Gizmodo
This is a Post by the App Machine

It looks like AT&T has released another PR nightmare.  The “Mark the Spot” app (iTunes Link) will let AT&T know exactly where your dropped calls or lack of data coverage are located via GPS.  But AT&T’s competitors may spin it in another way.

Verizon may just have just found another way to ridicule AT&T.  Imagining a Verizon ad mocking AT&T’s poor service by showing thousands of iPhone users using the “Mark the Spot” app to convey their resentment over AT&T’s network quality.

From AT&T:

AT&T is committed to providing its customers with the best network experience possible.

This application will help contribute towards this goal and its utilization is greatly appreciated.

But AT&T should deserve some credit for trying to make their network better.  At least it is trying to improve their terrible customer satisfaction ranking by making their network service feedback as easy as opening up an iPhone app.  I just hope I am able to download it when I am in a location with no 3G service.
This is a post by The Apps Machine

You’ve probably suspected it.  Yes, your favorite wireless carrier, AT&T, has ranked last in a customer satisfaction survey among the top 4 wireless carriers in the U.S. 

In a survey of 50,000 readers in 26 U.S. cities by Consumer Reports, AT&T rank last in 19 of those cities.  Voice and wireless networking services are the worst parts of AT&T, according to customers. 

Consumer Reports surveyed more than 50,000 readers in 26 U.S. cities, asking about wireless carrier services in a number of different categories related to service and customer support. In 19 of those cities, AT&T ranked worst.  This is a surprise to some people as poor voice and data reception is widely known to be only problematic in New York City and San Francisco.   This survey shows that AT&T’s poor service doesn’t just end there, but a rampant problem everywhere in the U.S.  This should be another major public relation disaster for AT&T, as voice and wireless networking services are the core function of any wireless carriers.  Having a major rating agency like Consumer Report rank its services last will make it difficult to attract new customers without the iPhone. 

iPhone exclusivity has helped AT&T in getting new customers from other carriers.  But the exclusivity has been rumored to be in question in 2010 as financial analysts predict that Apple will sell much more iPhones if Verizon and other carriers are allowed to sell the hot device. 

Overall AT&T has a reader score of 66.  That is a stark contrast to Verizon’s lead in Consumer Reports’ rankings.  Without much surprise, Verizon has snatched first place across all categories, including voice, messaging, web, and customer service.  It had a reader score of 75. 

T-Mobile came in second at 70 with a great customer service score.  Sprint did just a little better than AT&T with an overall score of 67.

AT&T responded to this latest Consumer Report.  It pointed out that only 1.17% of subscribers left their service while a contract is in effect.  But it could just be the iPhone and the early contract termination fee that’s keeping customers with AT&T. 

Recently, Verizon has also been attacking AT&T’s 3G coverage area relentlessly with its new ads.  Its fierce attacks has ignited an interesting drama between the 2 carriers as lawsuits and TV ad wars ensued.  This most recent Consumer Report further lifts Verizon’s status and brand perception as the best wireless carrier while destroying AT&T’s brand.  In this AT&T-Verizon war, the tide is clearly still in Verizon’s favor.

This is a post from The Apps Machine