AT&T fixes wireless-data issue
AT&T on Wednesday said that it has fixed a problem that caused many iPhone users in the Northeastern U.S. to complain that they couldn't access the mobile Web.
The company told newswire Reuters that the problem, which caused some users to not be able to surf the Web on their phones, was fixed just before noon on Wednesday. The problem did not affect phone calls, text messages or mobile e-mail from devices such as Research In Motion's BlackBerry.
A company spokesman told the news service that it was a "routing issue" that affected how data is delivered to and sent from devices. The spokesman declined to provide more details about the cause of the service issues.
AT&T subscribers in the Midwest and Southeast experienced similar problems accessing 3G (third-generation) and EDGE data services on AT&T's network in January. And there were reports in July 2007 of trouble accessing 3G and EDGE data services.
Since the iPhone 3G was launched in July some subscribers have complained of poor reception. At first, neither Apple nor AT&T would admit to any problems. But after persistent complaints on blogs around the world, Apple finally relented and released a software update for the iPhone 3G that was supposed to fix the problems.
While it's difficult to pinpoint the precise cause of these issues, many industry experts have hypothesized that it's likely a combination of the iPhone's hardware and software and how it interacts with the various 3G networks it operates on throughout the world.
AT&T is the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the U.S. And although it boasts that it has the fastest 3G network in the nation, its coverage footprint is not as extensive as that of competitors such as Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. This means that 3G phones such as the iPhone 3G likely switch between the 3G HSPA network and the 2.5 EDGE network more frequently than on some other 3G networks. And problems are more likely to occur during these handoffs, industry experts say.
Marguerite Reardon has been a CNET News reporter since 2004, covering cell phone services, broadband, citywide Wi-Fi, the Net neutrality debate, as well as the ongoing consolidation of the phone companies. E-mail Maggie. 
Speaking of AT&T having an iPhone is like having a car. The car is useless without a road and with a road full of potholes my car can't drive fast. If only Apple didn't lock themselves in you can drive your car on any road and let the user pick which one is fast for him/her. One toll road is not for everyone in every location. Instead we're stuck a pothole laden road while my Air is on Verizon 3G broadband internet on a smoother 5 lane highway. Youtube actually streams with great clarity and speed, on iPhone its stuttery and blurry.
Of course, iPhone users are likely the majority of the subscribers reporting the problem.
They expect a lot of their iPhone, and the AT&T Network.
Not in the eyes of online news world!
You are very right in that comment though. It affected all phones (on AT&T network)
- by ksangeelee September 5, 2008 3:39 AM PDT
- No amount of Apple hype is going to fix the contention and latency issues that we all have to suffer on 3G. That's not to say 3G isn't useful, it's just not what Apple claim it to be. Sadly, raising expectations like this just promotes disappointment.
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(12 Comments)Kevin, G-Portal UK
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