[HenryGale]

Bring on new Verizon commercials!

AT&T has come up with an ingenious solution to the congestion on its network in New York: stop selling the iPhone there!

The AT&T website has stopped offering phones to the New York metropolitan area, and entering a zipcode from there delivers the message that it is “unavailable” in that area, according to a blog report.

After verifying this on the AT&T Wireless website, the Consumerist blog called up AT&T customer service and had this conversation:

Daphne: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?

Laura: Hi, I was looking at the iPhone 3Gs and the system tells me that I cannot order one in my ZIP code. My zip code is 11231. (Brooklyn, NY) Is this true? Are iPhones no longer available in New York City?

Daphne: I am happy to be helping you today . Yes, this is correct the phone is not offered to you because New York is not ready for the iPhone.

Daphne: You don’t have enough towers to handle the phone.

Laura: Thank you for your help. So the phone is not available to people anywhere in the city?

Daphne: Yes this is correct Laura.

The move echoes the sentiment of AT&T’s CEO earlier this month – he wants iPhone users to limit their usage to take the strain off his network. But to cut off website purchases to New York City seems like both a PR nightmare and a move that’s unlikely to make any difference: surely iPhone buyers will just pick up the phone elsewhere?

We sure hope the reports are wrong on this.

http://mashable.com/2009/12/27/att-ipho ... york-city/

[flamesbball84]

he wants iPhone users to limit their usage to take the strain off his network.

Nice move AT&T, want people to buy your cellphones, but not use it to the full potential.

[flamesfilmguy]

I bet verizon's network could handle it....

[Hold My Own]

Holy Lawsuit


Why couldnt they just throttle everyone like pretty much every data (internet) supplier would do if you go over a "normal usage rate"

Seems to me the writing is on the wall and they dont care what kind of fall out there is with Apple because they know come Q3 of next year they are no longer the exclusive carrier of the Iphone

[El Scorcho]

he wants iPhone users to limit their usage to take the strain off his network.

Nice move AT&T, want people to buy your cellphones, but not use it to the full potential.

Yep. That's exactly what they want. While at the same time charging $30 a month for an "unlimited data" plan. It's right there on my bill. "Unlimited Data" it says. But AT&T feels it's perfectly okay to say (while charging for "unlimited data") that some people are using their network too much and straining it.

Laaaaaaaame.

[Hold My Own]

I guess I'm glad Sprint doesnt have that many customers to be able to charge $99 a month for unlimited everything


Keep in mind Sprint to allows "unlimited data" however you're limited to 5gigs a month...I know it's in the fine print of every ad that says "unlimited data" but you CAN NOT tell me that there isnt a law suit there for misrepresentation

[dbackjon]

Either then let people out of their contracts when the iPhone is available on other networks, beef up your system, or charge more for unlimited data.


AT&T wanted the exclusive with iPhone to bring them business. Now don't complain that it is too successful.

[Libertine]

Friends don't let friends use AT&T. That's been the case for years.

[flamesfilmguy]

Friends don't let friends use AT&T. That's been the case for years.

Friend's make friends use verizon.

[flamesbball84]

Friends don't let friends use AT&T. That's been the case for years.

Friend's make friends use verizon.

Friend's don't let friends sign on with companies who ream your bank account.

[flamesfilmguy]

I must have a decent plan then. my family has been with verizon since they were known as pac-tell and i've never had a problem with the service. I think ours is reasonably priced and as far as cell service and 3G network, i've been one place(3 floors underground) where i didn't have service. a lot of my friends have At&t and they hate it. service is always spotty and the only redeeming quality is the rollover. but with as much as I use my phone rollover would be of no use to me.

[rueful]

i havent had any problems with service or customer service with AT&T. Granted, Im a city boy, but the only place Since I have had a cell phone that I havent had service was when I worked in Appomattox for the last year.

[El Scorcho]

Keep in mind Sprint to allows "unlimited data" however you're limited to 5gigs a month...

So far as I know, all of the carriers limit their unlimited data plans to 5GB a month.

AT&T wants to further limit it. At some point they have to be forced to stop calling it unlimited. I'm not one for regulation but if they're all doing it "wink wink nudge nudge" style, that's collusion.

[01LUGrad]

Perspective:
When I graduated from LU (2001 for those slow on the uptake), I remember seeing guys around campus with cell phones and thinking, "Wow, that's pretty cool." Looking back, I don't think those phones could even fit in their pockets. Now look at us. I saw a stat somewhere that 87% of Americans own a cell phone (20%ish in 2000).

What will we be complaining about in 2020? Something like, "Shoot! I can't believe my flux capacitor is clogged again!"

[El Scorcho]

Perspective:
When I graduated from LU (2001 for those slow on the uptake), I remember seeing guys around campus with cell phones and thinking, "Wow, that's pretty cool." Looking back, I don't think those phones could even fit in their pockets. Now look at us. I saw a stat somewhere that 87% of Americans own a cell phone (20%ish in 2000).

What will we be complaining about in 2020? Something like, "Shoot! I can't believe my flux capacitor is clogged again!"

I don't know, but seven years ago I wasn't complaining about my reception in Lynchburg as an Alltel customer. So if your point is to say that we just need to give it time...no, I don't think that's it. AT&T has a crappy network and they aren't showing any signs of wanting to fix that.

[Sly Fox]

Who needs decent coverage when you have rollover minutes.

[El Scorcho]

Who needs decent coverage when you have rollover minutes.

Oh geez. They ALL roll over because I never have coverage! I've got minutes to burn. It's pretty funny to see them on my bill sometimes. Funny in a sad way.

[Sly Fox]

The new Luke Wilson spots about rollover minutes make me laugh every single time. And can somebody please show him how to dress?

[Libertine]

And can somebody please show him how to dress?

And, while you're at it, how to act. I've seen trees that are less wooden.

[LUconn]

Seriously, how caught with their pants down was AT&T with those Verizon map commercials? Verizon is showing accurate 3G maps on TV! Quick hire a fat version of Luke Wilson to throw around post cards ignoring the 3G aspect of the claims!

[RubberMallet]

the new att commercials are hilariously terrible.

its like embarassing to even watch them.

[BJWilliams]

I was watching TV with a friend of mine and AT&T must not have very critical thinkers making commercials for them because the stuff they claim isnt even remotely relevant. I mean almost the entire state of VA is a 3G dead zone on AT&Ts map, and theyre talking about being able to surf the web and talk on the phone at the same time...

[rueful]

I have AT&T and im happy with it. Could care less whether or not their commercials are the best, I have good service, no problems with customer service, and over all no complaints.

I never could have said that when I had sprint for 5 years and verizon for two.

[El Scorcho]

I have good service...

I'm with you on the other points, but not this one. So. I have three questions.

1. Where do you live?

2. Where do you spend most of your time?

3. Do you travel often? If yes, where to?

Dead serious. I really want to know.

[LUconn]

I bet he lives on Garfield Ave.