dave in boston

Can AT&T Handle the iPhone?

There were no iPhones when 3G networks (and associated standards) were designed. In "information super-highway" terms, roads designed for trucks and busses during commuter periods are being adapted to serve a sea of scooters that are busy all day. VZ and Sprint's 3G technology has an earlier end of life and is therefore less suitable for such adaptation: at a reasonable cost to their margins. With this in mind, it is unclear why Apple would bother to re-design iPhone for VZ and Sprint's outdated 3G networks when both are talking 4G already. Instead I suspect that real competition (and choice) in the iPhone network service provider space is with 4G. That's when operators will have a real chance to show how good their plans and networks really are: and consumers will have a real choice. Until then, we have no basis for comparison.

In the meantime, the "highway department" has a real responsibility to keep their roads safe for all who travel and pay tolls. That's why there are rules for the drivers and vehicles that use them. If you (the loyal customer) have gotten used to your commute experience, would you appreciate a bunch of farm equipment, goats and sheep on the road? I suspect these customers would not appreciate the travel interruption any more than the highway department would appreciate the cleanup. :-) Keep this in mind before criticizing Apple and AT&T for rejecting applications proactively. This strategy is much better than letting all in and figuring out what to do with them after the complaints that come later.