∞ AT&T investing $1 billion in its infrastructure

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I can’t even imagine the scope of what it takes to upgrade a network like AT&T’s, but for some customers, it’ll be too little, too late. Especially if rumors of a Verizon iPhone hold true for later this year. I talked to some people in New York that refused to even try an iPhone because of AT&T’s network.

Its exclusive contract with Apple is due to end this year and, although there’s no word on whether other carriers will be allowed to even touch the beast, there have been some pretty persistent rumors that Verizon will be getting its very own CDMA version of the iPhone. AT&T has, however, got its paws on the Android-powered Nexus One, perhaps shoring up its smartphone stable in the event of Apple deciding to spread its iPhone love.

AT&T to Throw $1 Billion at Its Network [Fast Company]


  • http://twitter.com/luomat @luomat

    What is disappointing is that they've had exclusive access to the iPhone for ~3 years now, and the only stories we've heard about them trying to make improvements are coming now, at what is (reportedly) the 11th hour before Verizon has the iPhone as well.

    AT&T had a huge opportunity to makeover their image, a huge influx of customers paying a huge premium for the most popular phone out there.

    And they sat on it.

    MMS wasn't ready.

    Tethering still isn't ready and they won't say when it will be, or if it will be.

    3G coverage is still a joke.

    How much have they spent on those stupid Luke Wilson ads showing they have 97% of the USA covered… sure, but not with 3G.

    THAT SAID, every article I hear about Verizon talks about a) how good their coverage is and b) how absolutely craptastic they are at customer service, and c) how maniacal they are about control and charging for features.

    A Verizon iPhone is going to be out of the fireplace and into the fire.

    • http://www.facebook.com/flargh Peter Cohen

      You're wrong on one point – "the only stories we've heard about them trying to make improvements are coming now."

      You may be more aware of it now, and sites like The Loop may be picking up news about it more frequently, but in truth, AT&T has been investing lots of money into their infrastructure continuously for years. I regularly see press releases from AT&T on the wire services talking about improving service in various areas, urban, suburban and exurban. It's just that, for the most part, they're not newsworthy enough to pick up.

  • http://www.facebook.com/tomvons Tom von Schwerdtner

    The $1B could be enough incentive for Apple to stick with AT&T exclusivity… it also depends on how flexible Verizon is, typically they want a lot of control over the phones they sell (branding, etc) which Apple wouldn't permit.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Adobephile Adobephile

    You AT&T bashers don't seem to realize just how much money one billion dollars is, and just what amount of effort that represents for AT&T in enhancing its network.

    I don't see it as any sort of propitiation on AT&T's part. It's just that the facts of the proliferation of the iPhone OS devices as well as other data devices are now seen as sufficient justification for making those kinds of capital investments.

    I'm sure the pubic's warm reception of the iPad didn't hurt in these decisions.

    I don't see a Verizon iPhone as serious competition. In fact it may very well serve to validate further the viability of the iPhone OS in the public's eyes.

  • Phillip

    One thing people are missing is that CDMA doest not allow data and speech simultaneously. The iPhone under Verizon's network will loose a big feature, being on the phone and accessing the internet at the same time.