**Update: Yes, an update on a barely 30-second old post. I just noticed that if you zoom in super close and toggle “show 3G”, the old 3G coverage spots pop back up. Still, it’s a shifty move to display the map in a zoomed out view the way the do because let’s be real, who actually zooms in that far? Most of us I’d gather make a quick glance for our general location. Rant stands…
For as much as we’ve heard recently about AT&T actually standing behind a promise (for once), one would think that they may be finally “seeing the light” in regards to being more consumer friendly. Unfortunately, it looks like they’re just out to lie to unassuming customers yet again. Case in point: AT&T apparently recently revamped their coverage maps. Before, visiting http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/ and selecting “data” would give users the default 2/2.5G network with the option to toggle 3G on and off. Now however, customers only see “national data coverage” which obviously by looking at the map, isn’t completely 3G.
Even worse, clicking on the “3G Mobile Voice/Broadband” option (which is oddly only included on the voice map page) brings up nothing but a long list of states and cities where 3G is available — not a much easier and more useful to read map like there used to be.
It doesn’t take a genius to see AT&T made these changes to give the false impression that their 3G coverage covers most of the country. We all know it doesn’t. We all know mile for mile, Verizon’s is largest. Though I will add that as PC World’s new speed tests recently confirmed, AT&T has rocketed ahead in urban areas as fastest 3G carrier. Even still, blatantly hiding the truth and flat out lying to customers isn’t too intelligent. Back to the same old AT&T ways I see.
**A quick check on the 3 other major US carriers confirms that they all still correctly display 3G coverage, allowing you to separate it from 2 and 2.5G coverage.
Android Central
- December 17, 2009 12:47 pm
You know, every day that I’m not on AT&T I pat myself on the back. How many times have we heard AT&T PR fluff (most recently from CEO Ralph de la Vega himself) stating that AT&T simply can’t keep up with the massive data usage increases since the iPhone’s launch? Charts circulated several weeks back showing the 5,000% increase in AT&T data traffic clearly. A small shred of mercy may have been doled out but a select few. However, a new report published today by the AP in conjunction with a blog post by Fake Steve calls attention to two glaring facts proving AT&T is (1) lying about network problems and (2) out to nickel and dime every single customer they can.
- AT&T has spent less on wireless network upgrades and new construction each quarter since the the 1st gen iPhone’s launch.
How many times per day do we here AT&T — and more recently CEO Ralph de la Vega — bitching about being cash strapped, unable to keep up with data demand, and ultimately burning their candle at both ends?
- Wireless data revenue is up 80% since the 1st gen iPhone’s ’07 launch.
AT&T is complaining they can’t keep up with demand and that the network is in such dire shape, unlimited plans will have to be dropped in order to make way for tiered (read: overpriced) pricing and data plans yet data revenue is up 80%. So what are they doing with all of the profit?!
Doesn’t anyone see what’s going on? They’re riding this iPhone wave into an entirely different dimension. Their network sucks. This is a known scientific fact proven by countless reports, tests, and studies. But the network doesn’t suck because they can’t keep up with network upgrades and expansions. It sucks because they are falsely limiting network upgrades and expansions.
Each year since the iPhone has launched they’ve spent less on building the network up and out since ’07. It’s a crowbar to the face of every AT&T customer as well as every American. Seriously. I know there will always be greedy corporate entities taking advantage of the american public at large. But the way AT&T is going about it is disgusting, deceiving, and downright bullshit. If I woke up tomorrow to hear AT&T’s network imploded or every tower was vandalized to the point of no return — words would not begin to explain my joy and excitement.
At this point in the game, any positive public image AT&T had is now gone, burnt to the ground, and ashes pissed on. It’s not a molehill that I’m making a mountain out of. It is a despicable, dishonest, and unethical attempt to stick it to the public. FCC: Where the hell are you at?
Remember that “Operation Chokehold” that’s been going around the web the last couple of days? It’s in your best interest to join in. Those bogus attempt to play off the whole Chokehold operation as juvenile and a threat to emergency services were the dumbest things I’ve ever heard. There network in it’s normal state is an abomination to emergency services and life itself.
Fuck You AT&T!
Gizmodo
Chances are, by now if your even remotely tech smart and wanted to tether your iPhone to your laptop you probably have already explored the world of jailbreaking. Setting up tethering on a jailbroken iPhone is hardly a chore. With AT&T’s delay because of fears their crappy 3g network will cave under all of the extra traffic (we all know it’s true) one would ask, will anyone even pay for the most certainly overpriced tethering option from AT&T once ts actually released? I’m sure a few tech retarded people and a few people mortified of voiding their oh so useful warranty from Apple will gladly welcome AT&T’s new addition. Honestly it should be included in the overpriced $30 data plan. Paying extra for tethering is paying twice for one thing. It’s dumb…really.
Source: Boygenius
