June 30, 2007
iWant(ed) an iPhone -- until iHeard iHad to get AT&T
While much of the tech world has gone gaga for Apple's new iPhone, there is one substantial drawback that prevents technophiles (like me) from seriously considering the ever-so-appealing device: the exclusive affiliation with AT&T.
Which is a shame, seeing as how the iPhone seems to offer everything I'd like to have in a mobile all-in-one device.
While the iPhone itself might live up to its considerable hype--we’re still a few days shy of getting our hands on one--Apple’s exclusive deal with AT&T Wireless for cellular service could leave some users happy they can also use the phone to listen to music or watch YouTube clips.
That’s because for several years, AT&T Wireless--formerly known as Cingular--has been among the least satisfying service providers, according to Consumer Reports’ annual customer satisfaction surveys.
In fact, in our latest report, from January 2007, AT&T had “middling to low” customer satisfaction, with static and busy circuits cited as widespread problems (as they’ve been in our previous surveys). Frequent service-related problems were compounded by the company’s relatively low marks for helpfulness in handling customer questions and complaints.
In addition, the iPhone will run on AT&T’s “2.5G” EDGE network, rather than one of the faster “3G” networks available from the major carriers, such as Verizon or Sprint’s EVDO, or even AT&T’s own UMTS/HSDPA network (Don’t worry about the acronyms. The upshot is that EDGE has much lower bandwidth than true 3G networks.). Reportedly, AT&T has been working to upgrade the Internet capabilities of some of its towers to ensure higher minimum data speeds than were originally reported.
And some journalists who received models of the phone in advance have said that AT&T’s wireless service is a potential weak point. David Pogue of the New York Times' Technology section highlighted our survey findings while Walt Mossberg over at the Wall Street Journal's Personal Technology section has called it "a major drawback" for the sleek device.
[...]
But the combination of slower network speeds and poor customer service might not bode well for early iPhone adopters (there are already rumors that a second-generation iPhone will be 3G-capable), especially since Apple’s deal with AT&T is a five-year exclusive. And AT&T’s just-announced service plans for the iPhone require a two-year commitment.
I've been with Verizon Wireless for years; the network is pretty darn good and I've had few of the complaints that seem so common to the other carriers.
Although I am intrigued by the iPhone and its capabilities (especially the full-featured Safari web broswer), I'm going to wait until Apple ends its exclusive sales deal with AT&T.
Consumer Reports has an interactive guide to the iPhone's features.
Posted by Mike Lief at June 30, 2007 09:33 AM
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Comments
I once was an AT&T customer but switched over to Verizon due to dropped calls and awful customer service. Unless AT&T kicked in money for the development of the phone, I think it was a mistake for Apple to give the company exclusive rights to servicing the device.
Posted by: Bill H. at June 30, 2007 10:39 AM
The inside.
Posted by: Steve at July 2, 2007 12:05 PM