AT&T and Apple underestimated how popular the iPhone would be when it first launched. They would have been happy to grab 1% of the global cell-phone market, but instead they now have 14% of the smartphone market. Why does this present a problem amongst the consumers? The AT&T’s iPhone has taken over their data network and consumers of this phone are now unhappy with it because they claim that it simply can’t handle the traffic between downloading intensive applications or simply making phone calls. Consumers are worried that if there is a large crowd of people using their iPhones at the same exact time, whether making phone calls or using the applications, that the AT&T network will not come through for them. The FCC’s chief of safety and homeland security issued a warning that "purposely try to disrupt or negatively impact a network with ill-intent is irresponsible and presents a significant public safety concern." Essentially, he is trying to say that this could interfere with 911 phone calls.
I personally think that AT&T is doing the best they can to provide an efficient data network for all of the iPhone users and all AT&T users for that matter. The phone already has apps that make life easier for many people like access to maps while traveling, access to personal e-mail, and much more. Nothing is perfect, and many phone companies have struggled to consistently provide the best service possible for their consumers. Because most of America uses cell phones in today’s day and age, the service for any phone will not always be perfect reguardless of it is an iPhone or not. The article says that consumers of the phone are rebelling because they want to express their frustration of paying $150 a month for a phone that does not always provide the fastest data network; however, if this is the case, then those people shouldn’t use the iPhone and should just switch to another smart phone.
Due to the fact that some iPhone users are “data-greedy” people, this leaves AT&T with a few options to try to fix this problem. One option is that they could upgrade their network to keep up with customer demands, but this would weaken their profits. Another option is that they “could charge more for network access or limit what customers can do on their phones, but that would enrage the all-you-can-eat subscriber base as well as Net Neutrality types who seek to prevent telecom companies from dictating customers' options.” From my personal experience, the iPhone has never created any problems because the data network was quick and I accomplish what I want to on it. There is a flaw to everything and I know that AT&T is doing what it can to provide their consumers with the best service that they can. It is possible that maybe in the future they will solve this problem, but for right now I think the iPhone fits the lifestyle of many of its users.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_07/b4166034389519.htm?chan=rss_topStories_ssi_5
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I have an iPhone and completely agree with the author of this blog. An iPhone has thousands of ways to improve and simplify the life of their user, yet there are still some users out there that have to find something to in everything to complain about. Yes, there are some imperfections with iPhones as well as all other cell phones. All phones will temporarily stall, fail to make calls, and receive delayed text messages so there is no reason why the iPhone should be singled out. The increased price for the service and phone are for the additional operations the phone is capable of performing such as navigation, applications, 3G internet, and a built in iPod, not to make the statement of having a flawless Smartphone. Granted, there is no perfect cell phone out there but I feel that Apple’s iPhone is the strongest competitor for the title.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that some iPhone users experienced such problems with their iPhones. I have a Blackberry, and like the iPhone it too shows signs of freezing and delayed text messages, but these problems are rare and not frequent. I think Apple should have expected the demand in iPhones that they received. With so many apps and such great benefits the iPhone offers, Apple should have known in advance the amount of demand they were going to receive. I can see the frustration that arises with angry customers who are paying $150 a month for a phone that has glitches. I pay $30 a month for internet service, but the Blackberry has far fewer apps and benefits that the iPhone possesses. I think Apple should upgrade their service to meet customer demand, this would allow users to keep all of their applications and Apple would be able to meet customer satisfaction. The iPhone is one of Apple's main products and should satisfy customers who have one.
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