RSSAT&T Braces for iPhone Onslaught
By Ed Oswald | Published June 21, 2007, 12:17 PM
AT&T is taking extra steps to prepare for an expected onslaught of business due to the iPhone, including the hiring of about 2,000 temporary employees and enhancing security.
The buzz around the phone is still growing, and people close to AT&T say that even celebrities are being turned away from getting a phone early. There are special lists, but all on it must still pay full price.
The Wall Street Journal says that the carrier is also taking no chances with the device, wary of any fallout from unexpected glitches. About 200 testers have been moving about the country testing it across AT&T's network in a variety of situations.
Additionally, to create even more buzz, both Apple and AT&T will limit sales -- at least initially -- to its 1,800 company-owned stores and nearly 200 Apple stores. Furthermore, areas where iPod sales had traditionally been higher will receive more stock.
Data plans will be customized for the device, and may include unlimited web browsing, according to company officials. Although pricing has not been announced, current unlimited plans run $20 per month.
Regardless of whether or not the iPhone is a success, most have expressed concern over price. An IDC survey found only 1 in 10 were willing to pay full price for the phone, even though 6 in 10 were interested in it.
Another problem is the issue of those that have contracts with other carriers - meaning some may need to pay $200 plus the price of the iPhone to switch their accounts to Cingular, the only carrier to offer the device.
If the level of service for the iPhone is as poor as the rest of the service from Cingular/AT&T they will lose even more money. Of the 3 carriers used in our household Cingular has the worst service. The only reason we use them at all is because a business contract. At renewal time I'm pretty sure they will be gone.
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|If you're referring to reception, Cingular/AT&T has the best reception in the USA. Not even Verizon comes close to the excellent reception that Cingular/AT&T offers.
As for customer service, the only company that is better than Cingular is T-Mobile. Unfortunately, T-Mobile has the worst reception of any national USA carrier.
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|"If you're referring to reception, Cingular/AT&T has the best reception in the USA. Not even Verizon comes close to the excellent reception that Cingular/AT&T offers."
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Perhaps in your part of the country it has the best reception. However, independent surveys won't support that contention. Verizon seems to rule in that department. As for customer service, it's Verizon.
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|According to statistics from J.D. Power, it's T-Mobile who has better customer service. As for reception, I've had perfect reception (full bars) indoors and out with Cingular in Rockport, Texas; Corpus Christi, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Seattle, Washington.
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|Another problem is the issue of those that have contracts with other carriers - meaning some may need to pay $200 plus the price of the iPhone to switch their accounts to Cingular, the only carrier to offer the device.
Or you can go to Chinatown and get it unlocked for $15...
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|Wow, 2000 extra employees, they're being a tad optimistic aren't they!!!
This confidence reminds me of the Sony with their PS3.
We all know how well that's going.
Incidentally isn't the iPhone and the PS3 the same price???
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|No kidding - we are drones, must have iPhone or our lives won't be complete.
Wait - there's a new iToiletBowlScrubber - must have - pay $500 fair price for shiny new toy - must have, must have, must have.
Matthew 6:24
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|I bet there's an extra charge for the iScrubber dock, too.
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|Where is P.T. Barnum when you need him?
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|Errr...I dont even intend to get one :). I am happy enough with my PDA phone (Wifi, SD Card expansion, Mp3 and video). Not going to spend anything extra for this iPhone
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