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The iPhone is choking AT&T, and it bodes poorly for the future
AT&T is learning the hard way that with the great iPhone comes great responsibility. Namely, keeping its network running smoothly even under the pressure iPhone users put on it.
The carrier is experiencing everything from dropped calls to choked download speeds because of how much more data iPhone users burn through. People do pretty much everything they would on their home computer on top of making calls, from browsing the web and sending emails to downloading music and games. Because of this an average iPhone user can churn through 10 times as much bandwidth as the average smartphone.
The problem is exasperated exacerbated by the concentration of users, too. "[AT&T's network] can only funnel so much at a given time," wireless analyst Chetan Sharma told the New York Times. "It comes down to peak capacity loads, or spikes in data usage. That's why you see these problems at conferences or in large cities with high concentration of iPhone users."
AT&T, of course, wants to expand and improve its network to better shoulder the strain, though in the short term the company can do little more than restrict bandwidth-heavy features. There's a worry that it won't just be AT&T having such trouble, either, as phones continue to get more complex. That, and AT&T and Apple's iPhone exclusivity contract will be up early next year, at which point the iPhone may make its way onto other carrier's too — which'll either lessen the strain by spreading it around or sink other networks, too.
By MorituriMax at 6:39 PM ON 09/03/09
Golly! Gasp! People using their iphones to download stuff????? Who knew? That when you buy a mini computer which has hundreds of apps that dowwnload data, along with the apps built into the phone that do the same.... who would EVER have guessed they would USE it?
By Anonymous at 6:41 PM ON 09/03/09
"The problem is exasperated by the concentration of users, too."
I wonder if the writer meant "exacerbated?"
By JimmyD at 6:45 PM ON 09/03/09
It's a learning experience. Studies and polls have shown that any one provided would have experienced the same issues. I'm in SF and never have any problems with phone or browser. I do know locals who do. I also don't live 24/7 on my iPhone. Like right now. AT&T will either make it work or sink. From what I'm seeing, they're making it work.
By Kevin Hall at 7:41 PM ON 09/03/09
@Anon
Thanks for the catch!
By Al at 8:02 PM ON 09/03/09
I'm good with the iPhone for now, but in a few years the other imitators may jump ahead on both product and service, so tow the line ATT and Apple.
The race for the best is never over.
By Lunan at 9:57 PM ON 09/03/09
the iphone should never have been on at&t, the only american network that has the bandwidth to really carry the iphone is sprint, even verizon would be better then at&t
By kash at 10:34 PM ON 09/03/09
This may lead to the end of AT&T. I own an iPhone, so do most of my friends, and we're constantly using the browser and sending emails. I'm not surprised that AT&T can't handle all juice the iPhones require. At the same time it could have been the case for any other carrier. We won't know until the iPhone jumps to another carrier. Until then, I'll be holding my breath when MMS is finally available. Expect some problems when it finally comes on September 25th. http://ziggytek.com/
By Bodak at 8:03 AM ON 09/04/09
The latest Polls and Surveys show that 3 out of 4 iPhone users make up roughly 75% of the iPhone community.
By Gian-Luca at 8:36 AM ON 09/04/09
"The latest Polls and Surveys show that 3 out of 4 iPhone users make up roughly 75% of the iPhone community."
That makes no sense. What percentage does the the 4th out of the 4 iPhone users make? Error 404.
By Grammar Pedant at 9:38 AM ON 09/04/09
Carriers, not carrier's
By Applesauce at 11:27 AM ON 09/04/09
Without a doubt, Apple changed the way we communicate and AT&T jumped on the wagon at the right time. It's easy to sit back and rest on your laurels when you're on top. Becoming number 1 and staying number 1 requires two different strategies. Let's see if either company has the grapes to maintain their position.
By montezuma at 11:55 AM ON 09/04/09
Drop the data plan and get a Verizon MiFi and wifi through that. Freakin AT&T >:(
By zoobeydoo at 3:42 PM ON 09/05/09
hmmmm end of At&t? I think that might be the most unlikely scenario. Right now the network is struggling and thats completely understandable I mean this thing is taking over the world rapidly and more successful than ever anticipated. So I dont think there was any preparing for this. Pretty sure they will be increasing network capacity as quickly as possible and in a yr or 2 you will see a big difference
By ahh nonymous ! at 7:56 PM ON 09/17/09
Al,
"toe the line", not "tow". meaning to stay within bounds, not to drag a heavy object using a rope.
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
ahh nonymous !:
Al, "toe the line", not "tow". meaning to stay within bounds, not to drag a heavy object using a rope....More »