Was all the talk about AT&T contemplating a usage based pricing for its users merely a rumor?
Though the CEO of AT&T Wireless, Ralph De La Vega had in fact gone on record blaming iPhone users for congesting their network and hinting at data rationing, the company now says that this is not the way they would like to approach the problem.
In an interview to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), David Christopher, the CMO at AT&T emphasized that improving the network infrastructure was their top priority and it was the only way to overcome network congestion challenges the company is facing today. He said:
"We are expanding daily. It’s job one and priority one to make the best network possible"
Going a step ahead, Christopher also insisted that his company was actually "OK" with users consuming excessive bandwidth - a stance no AT&T official has ever taken before. In his words
"There is a data explosion out there. But we’re also at the bleeding edge of knowing how to deal with it. We’re going to be better equipped to handle this new wave of capability. What’s pushing it is certain users using an inordinate amount, and that’s OK"
AT&T has been working on deploying the new HSPA 7.2 3G wireless technology across the country, with work having been completed in a few cell sites. Few of our readers had also commented on an earlier article that they had noticed improved connectivity in the past few days. Part of the refreshing change in AT&T's approach could also be attributed to the growing confidence in the company about tackling the network problems with deployment of this new technology.
Having said that, we feel this is also the appropriate way to address the issue at hand. Stifling data usage was never going to be a long term strategy to meet consumer expectations and the only way to address this was by building better infrastructure. With the imminent launch of Apple Tablet and a host of other competitor devices, one can expect wireless data consumption to surge ahead of current levels in the next few months. Also, with Apple likely to end its exclusive agreement with AT&T later this year, the only way to beat competition is by bettering network service levels.
How do you like the new approach of AT&T? Do you see network connectivity improving in the next few months? Please tell us in the comments.
[via Digits]
they need more 3g cell towers, i dont even have 3g in my area or anywhere within 2-3 hour drive however i use my wifi most of the time so thats not a major deal but more cell towers would greatly help expand the 3g network
What town is that? The reason I ask is because I want to know where I can go that Luke Wilson hasn't already slept with the women of the town! LOL!
OK, so does this mean that we're soon going to see AT&T support tethering – for free?
I'm holding my breath – NOT! Tethering is the (sole) reason I'm forced to jailbreak my (yes, *my*) iPhone.
Anything they can do is great. I'm stuck with them for another year so I'll take whatever they can give.
Thanks AT&T
stop talkinggggggggg… and do it ATT….. we pay our bills regularly right ??? Then why dont you guys provide the quality service regularly????????
As long as a data usage fee is off the table and the iphone is still with AT@T i will be sticking with both, im very happy with both service and device. Sure i hit the edge network when i travel from dallas to houston occasionally, but come on thats in the boonies!!! I wanna see flash/shockwave on the iphone!!