Ending Apple's AT&T Problem

[Maikeru-sama]

I thought this was an interesting read about Apple/ATT. For the most part, I think the article is correct when it says the only complaint people tend to have about the iPhone is the carrier.

I just got my iPhone last year, so I am not sure if ATT gave Apple such an extremely sweetheart deal that they decided to limit the phone to one carrier. Personally, I would think you would want your products available to the most carriers you can.

On the surface locking the iPhone to one carrier seems rather strange. By limiting carrier choices, Apple has given competing products an easier entrance into the market. I believe that if Apple had not tied the iPhone to just one carrier, the iPhone's market share could have been even higher and would have been that much more difficult to displace as competing products come out.

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[TheCount]

Funny that for me it's reversed. I've been fine with AT&T, the hardware itself though has given me issues on and off. Despite that, it's still the best cell phone I've ever had.

 

[DMOB]

I would love the iphone, but unfortunately I have Verizon. Rumor is that later this year they will carry the iphone......doubt it though.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I have ATT and I think it sucks. It's not the equipment, it's the carrier. I also have Verison and it's service is much better.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

I have ATT and I think it sucks. It's not the equipment, it's the carrier. I also have Verison and it's service is much better.

Yeah, I traded in the Blackberry Storm (one of the worst phones I have ever had) and made the switch from Verizon to ATT just to get the iPhone last year.

My experience has been that the dropped calls deserve their legendary reputation on the ATT network because it happens to me quite a bit. Lately, I have just been switching to the Edge network while driving and that has cut down on some of the dropped calls, but I really shouldn't have to do that.

I think ATT's customer service is a lot better then Verizon's.

But overall, the iPhone is such a great product, the dropped calls aren't too big a problem right now.

When the iPhone 4 arrives and people start using the new tethering feature, that is going to be really interesting.

 

[vta]

From what I've heard the decision is/was based on multiple factors. Apple approached Verizon first and, Verizon said no. Also AT&T is an international carrier, while Verizon isn't. I'm not sure of the details or what this even means, Verizon can be used in Europe, but only by piggy backing on other carriers. Don't know what that means, but it's what I'd heard.

One and half more years and the exclusivity contract is done and I doubt they'll re-sign it.

 

[TheCount]

From what I've heard the decision is/was based on multiple factors. Apple approached Verizon first and, Verizon said no. Also AT&T is an international carrier, while Verizon isn't. I'm not sure of the details or what this even means, Verizon can be used in Europe, but only by piggy backing on other carriers. Don't know what that means, but it's what I'd heard.

One and half more years and the exclusivity contract is done and I doubt they'll re-sign it.

I'm not sure AT&T itself is global, they piggy back too but their protocal (GSM) is certainly more global than Verizon's CDMA.

 

[theogt]

They linked with one company because that company will subsidize the price to the consumer. Without the contract with AT&T (or any other carrier) you couldn't get an iPhone for $99 or $199 or even $299. It would be $500+.

They would lose market share.

I have an iPhone and a Blackberry, both through AT&T. I never a problem with reception or dropped calls on either.

 

[YosemiteSam]

They linked with one company because that company will subsidize the price to the consumer. Without the contract with AT&T (or any other carrier) you couldn't get an iPhone for $99 or $199 or even $299. It would be $500+.

They would lose market share.

Every phone you buy from a carrier is subsidize! How the hell do you think you buy Blackberries, Treos, etc for $200 when they are all over $500?

If you buy a phone from a carrier, the phone is always subsidized. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc. Doesn't matter.

 

[TheCount]

They linked with one company because that company will subsidize the price to the consumer. Without the contract with AT&T (or any other carrier) you couldn't get an iPhone for $99 or $199 or even $299. It would be $500+.

They would lose market share.

I have an iPhone and a Blackberry, both through AT&T. I never a problem with reception or dropped calls on either.

Dunno if I agree with that. It would have been subsidized with any carrier. The only way it wouldn't have been is if Apple only sold direct, and you had to find your own carrier.

 

[vta]

I'm not sure AT&T itself is global, they piggy back too but their protocal (GSM) is certainly more global than Verizon's CDMA.

Maybe it's just a wider range or something. Verizon did turn them down at first though. Too bad, I'd have considered an iPhone if they were on Verizon.

 

[Hoofbite]

Watch. As soon as the exclusivity contract runs out, Apple will claim they made the move to get away from AT&T's inferior service.

Doesn't really matter that Apple is exclusive right now.

As soon as they broaden out to other carries, people will pick the phone up.

 

[TheCount]

Maybe it's just a wider range or something. Verizon did turn them down at first though. Too bad, I'd have considered an iPhone if they were on Verizon.

Yeah, I remember that, I'm sure they feel like fools now. If they had somehow landed an exclusive with the Droid, that might have semi-made up for it.

At the time though, I'm sure they were very skeptical of what Apple could bring to the game that would validate their giving up so much control and sharing profits to that extent. Oops.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Interestingly enough, I don't have the dropped call issues with ATT. Been using them for various phones and services for years.

Or if I did have the issues, they dont bother me as much as others. *shrug*

 

[Doomsday]

I loved my iPhone, hated ATT so I dumped the iPhone in favor of the Droid and Verizon. Call quality is 10x better, but there are some features about the iPhone that I do miss. The user interface on the iPhone is better then the Droid imo, but not worth the head aches of poor call quality.

 

[Hoofbite]

I loved my iPhone, hated ATT so I dumped the iPhone in favor of the Droid and Verizon. Call quality is 10x better, but there are some features about the iPhone that I do miss. The user interface on the iPhone is better then the Droid imo, but not worth the head aches of poor call quality.

You get crappy quality in Denver?

 

[casmith07]

I have ATT and I think it sucks. It's not the equipment, it's the carrier. I also have Verison and it's service is much better.

It's all based on location. Where I am, AT&T reigns king and Verizon is so-so.

 

[Dallas]

I have been in many markets w/ my iphone (Chicago-NY-LA-Tulsa (boomer)-ANC-SEA) and I have not once had issues w/ dropped calls.

It never happens here in Anchorage unless its my mom's piss poor CDMA carrier ACS doing it.

I have no problem w/ ATT nor its customer care. They have always been extremely helpful to my family.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I have ATT and I think it sucks. It's not the equipment, it's the carrier. I also have Verison and it's service is much better.

The issue seems to be regional in many cases. I have had problems with both carriers depending on where I live. When we lived in Fairfax, VA, there were some spots west of Tysons Corner that were absolute dead-zones. I would lose calls religiously, so I switched to Verizon.

When I moved to Corpus, Verizon was wretched once you got about ten miles outside of the city itself, so I switched back to AT&T.

Now, we are in the Charlotte area and, low and behold, AT&T drops off way more than Verizon here. When my contract is up, I am switching again.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I have had ATT for years and the only problem I have had with dropped calls are when my mother who is on cellular south calls. Her calls have dropped a few times and I don't remember any other calls dropping. Like a few have said it must be different in different areas of the country. ATT has always been solid for me.