I'm posting this from my iPhone right now, so I'm getting a kick. Seriously though, from what I've read, European carriers have no problem at all with capacity and offer unlimited data at even faster speeds than we currently have, so fark you AT&T and your unwillingness to upgrade your systems. And don't even start with the BS about losing revenues from text messages that literally use no data and don't cost anything, but you still have to gaul to charge $30 a month for. fark you.

F*ck AT&T

MaudlinMutantMollusk: F*ck AT&T

yup.

The bottom line is that AT&T just wants people to give them money and do nothing in return. Get customers to lock in to lame contracts pushed by obnoxious salespeople.


I personally blame the 1996 Telcom Deregulation act,

You know, the obvious solution would be to treat towers and transmission lines as public property (by nationalizing them) and let the beloved market solve the issue forever. With almost no capital costs, anyone could start a telecom company or internet service provider.

/But that's socialism and it makes Baby ReaganJesus cry
//F**k AT&T

If we had real competition in the wireless data market, he'd see what REAL competition looks like.

Because People in power are Stupid: The bottom line is that AT&T just wants people to give them money and do nothing in return. Get customers to lock in to lame contracts pushed by obnoxious salespeople.

You have described every company from the independent plumber to the largest corporation. Problem is that they can't with competition.

I personally blame the 1996 Telcom Deregulation act,

That's more accurately described as "Re-Regulation". It was setup to still benefit the larger companies. The way the regulations are written it is cheaper for us to route calls in Minnesota through our ND switch than through our MN switch and likewise the other way. Why? Dammed if I know, the regulations are the size of the NY phone book.

spman: I'm posting this from my iPhone right now, so I'm getting a kick. Seriously though, from what I've read, European carriers have no problem at all with capacity and offer unlimited data at even faster speeds than we currently have, so fark you AT&T and your unwillingness to upgrade your systems. And don't even start with the BS about losing revenues from text messages that literally use no data and don't cost anything, but you still have to gaul to charge $30 a month for. fark you.

The reason they don't have as much of a problem is because Europe has a much smaller area to cover and higher population. To cover the empty areas of the US, which the US government requires them to do, costs a lot of money. Europe needs less infrastructure over a smaller area to serve more people, which means lower costs for them vs US companies.



AT&T may indeed be behaving like jerks, but don't pretend that comparing Europe telecom to the US is anything except apples to anvils.

/Considering moving me and my parents over to StraightTalk prepaid vs Verizon.

It's interesting how many companies pulled out of unlimited data but let those previously on the stay unlimited. It's kept me tethered to Verizon, and I'm sure AT&T has held a lot of customers that they normally would have lost the same way. It ends up being a net gain for them I'm sure, so I don't plan on shedding a tear for the poor, abused billionaire.

"And it's a variable cost model. Every additional megabyte you use in this network, I have to invest capital."

So that means that you're going to give text messages away for free because they cost you nothing, right?

The guy is a greedy corporate tool. No amount of profit margin is enough, you have to increase revenue and margin every day, all day long. Even if you are rolling in money like Scrooge McDuck you need to squeeze the last scintilla of profit from every offering, and raise rates as costs go down. Text messages cost next to nothing to support, and here he is whining about the reduction in text revenue.

He's a greedy corporate tool. Just like all the other 'C' level tools.

Crosshair: Because People in power are Stupid: The bottom line is that AT&T just wants people to give them money and do nothing in return. Get customers to lock in to lame contracts pushed by obnoxious salespeople.

You have described every company from the independent plumber to the largest corporation. Problem is that they can't with competition.

I personally blame the 1996 Telcom Deregulation act,

That's more accurately described as "Re-Regulation". It was setup to still benefit the larger companies. The way the regulations are written it is cheaper for us to route calls in Minnesota through our ND switch than through our MN switch and likewise the other way. Why? Dammed if I know, the regulations are the size of the NY phone book.

spman: I'm posting this from my iPhone right now, so I'm getting a kick. Seriously though, from what I've read, European carriers have no problem at all with capacity and offer unlimited data at even faster speeds than we currently have, so fark you AT&T and your unwillingness to upgrade your systems. And don't even start with the BS about losing revenues from text messages that literally use no data and don't cost anything, but you still have to gaul to charge $30 a month for. fark you.

The reason they don't have as much of a problem is because Europe has a much smaller area to cover and higher population. To cover the empty areas of the US, which the US government requires them to do, costs a lot of money. Europe needs less infrastructure over a smaller area to serve more people, which means lower costs for them vs US companies.

[sandcat.nl image 428x226]

AT&T may indeed be behaving like jerks, but don't pretend that comparing Europe telecom to the US is anything except apples to anvils.

/Considering moving me and my parents over to StraightTalk prepaid vs Verizon.

I've got Straight Talk running on AT&T's network. I've had it for about 2 months and it's worked good for me thus far. Straight Talk is an MVNO on all four major providers so, if you buy one of their phones, you need to know which network it's going to use. All the Androids run on Sprint's network. If you buy one of their SIMs, you can pick from AT&T or T-Mobile. Of course, the price for what is offered is damned good. I'm paying $45 a month for unlimited talk, texts and web with AT&T nationwide coverage. Here's a wiki maintained by HowardForums telling you how to read the phone's model number.

Crosshair: The reason they don't have as much of a problem is because Europe has a much smaller area to cover and higher population.

You should tell that to Norway which has FAR lower people per square mile and yet offers high speed internet access in rural areas that surpasses even NYC.

But then again, that doesn't play into your capitalism is perfect and awesome bullshiat, so you don't mention stuff like that.

Crosshair: Because People in power are Stupid: The bottom line is that AT&T just wants people to give them money and do nothing in return. Get customers to lock in to lame contracts pushed by obnoxious salespeople.

You have described every company from the independent plumber to the largest corporation.

No, I haven't. Believe it or not your belief doesn't fit reality. But hey, don't let your economic hypothesis interfere with reality.

Crosshair:

I personally blame the 1996 Telcom Deregulation act,

That's more accurately described as "Re-Regulation". It was setup to still benefit the larger companies. The way the regulations are written it is cheaper for us to route calls in Minnesota through our ND switch than through our MN switch and likewise the other way. Why? Dammed if I know, the regulations are the size of the NY phone book.


I don't think you are familiar with the act in particular; specifically Title IV section 401.

But again judging from your comments... you are just here to Derp back.

At this point, either pay the premium for the premium service of Verizon (stop hating, they are truly the best) or go to the quality value of MetroPCS.

You get what you pay for, unless you're an AT&T customer.

AT&T is doing its damn best to push me towards Verizon.

And I really despise Verizon, but they'd at least give me a break on my internet/phone coverage.

jaylectricity: At this point, either pay the premium for the premium service of Verizon (stop hating, they are truly the best) or go to the quality value of MetroPCS.

You get what you pay for, unless you're an AT&T customer.

I was grandfathered in on verizon's unlimited data plan.

/loves me unlimited data.
//LOVE!

hubiestubert: AT&T is doing its damn best to push me towards Verizon.

And I really despise Verizon, but they'd at least give me a break on my internet/phone coverage.

Plus, Android phones.

Weaver95: I was grandfathered in on verizon's unlimited data plan.

I'm grandfathered in on not paying a data fee for my phone.

how about "no, go fark yourself"

FTA: "You lie awake at night worrying about what is that which will disrupt your business model," he said. "Apple iMessage is a classic example. If you're using iMessage, you're not using one of our messaging services, right? That's disruptive to our messaging revenue stream."

Spoken like a true monopolist dinosaur. I wouldn't want this guy running my local pizzeria, much less a huge telecom. Isn't America is supposed to be the place where clever and daring new thinkers revolutionize markets?

That last question was rhetorical. We all know the answer.

CitizenTed: FTA: "You lie awake at night worrying about what is that which will disrupt your business model," he said. "Apple iMessage is a classic example. If you're using iMessage, you're not using one of our messaging services, right? That's disruptive to our messaging revenue stream."

Spoken like a true monopolist dinosaur. I wouldn't want this guy running my local pizzeria, much less a huge telecom. Isn't America is supposed to be the place where clever and daring new thinkers revolutionize markets?

That last question was rhetorical. We all know the answer.

Pretty much. This isn't a leader, this is a bean counter. You have to lead the industry, not just follow and hate your competition because they're outclassing you...

hubiestubert: AT&T is doing its damn best to push me towards Verizon.

And I really despise Verizon, but they'd at least give me a break on my internet/phone coverage.

I can't speak to individual plans but after much research Sprint had the best family plan for me. Sprint and Verizon roam free on each others network so comparing them is pointless. I would have to say Verizon has a slightly better 4G network if that's your thing.

4 lines, 3 Iphone 4s and one Evo 4G, all you can eat for $210/month. Of course I get a sweet %24 corp discount but that did not figure into choosing Sprint because everyone gives us a great discount.

I know there a Sprint haterz and I'm not going to argue with them. It was the best plan for my family.

sammyk: hubiestubert: AT&T is doing its damn best to push me towards Verizon.

And I really despise Verizon, but they'd at least give me a break on my internet/phone coverage.

I can't speak to individual plans but after much research Sprint had the best family plan for me. Sprint and Verizon roam free on each others network so comparing them is pointless. I would have to say Verizon has a slightly better 4G network if that's your thing.

4 lines, 3 Iphone 4s and one Evo 4G, all you can eat for $210/month. Of course I get a sweet %24 corp discount but that did not figure into choosing Sprint because everyone gives us a great discount.

I know there a Sprint haterz and I'm not going to argue with them. It was the best plan for my family.

I would say Verizon has a much better 4G network than Sprint does. Verizon and AT&T have LTE where I live. Sprint doesn't have any flavor of 4G (LTE or WiMax).

I dumped Sprint (paying an ETF to do so), sold my Evo 4G (of which I wasn't able to make use of the 4G) and bought a iPhone 4S and plugged in a Straight Talk SIM. So far, the data speeds have been faster and the signal stronger than I had with Sprint.

As a Canadian, I'd just like to take the time to say a big "fark you" to Rogers.

CitizenTed: Isn't America is supposed to be the place where clever and daring new thinkers revolutionize markets?.

no, that's just what the corporate whores tell the unwashed masses. in reality, corporations are fine with buying tax breaks, legal loopholes and f*cking over their customers all while lying their asses off to protect their illegal monopolies. nobody ever challenges them because of the pro-corp propaganda. stand up and point out that what they're doing isn't remotely 'free market' and you get shouted down for being 'socalist'. try and change things and you'll face stiff resistance. show up at a protest and expect to get a beat down for your troubles. sure, you could vote to change things...but honestly, the corporations will just buy out whomever you end up electing.

If there wasn't such a high barrier to entry in that industry, AT&T would have been out of business long ago.

Ma Bell can suck it.

MaudlinMutantMollusk: F*ck AT&T

Yep. That's why I didn't get an iPhone until my regional carrier got them. (Still waiting for mine to show up. The demand was a lot higher than my local carrier imagined they would be.)

Introducing the iViolin for AT&T CEOs.

GAT_00: hubiestubert: AT&T is doing its damn best to push me towards Verizon.

And I really despise Verizon, but they'd at least give me a break on my internet/phone coverage.

Plus, Android phones.

I've had two Androids. I'd rather have a dumb phone than another Android phone.

Why only make billions when you can make billions and be assholes!!!

F*ck AT&T

In the last quarter, the company reported $6.1 billion in revenue from mobile data alone.

And poor Randall Stephenson only took home $26 million last year. Does he lie awake thinking about that at night? I guess he wants everyone to pay more for data so he can buy a bigger yacht or something. .

Cute, another CEO that just sees their customers as walking $ signs.

jaylectricity: Weaver95: I was grandfathered in on verizon's unlimited data plan.

I'm grandfathered in on not paying a data fee for my phone.

I'm grandfathered in on that too. Because, like my grandfather, I don't use my phone to look at the internet.

That's what you meant, right?

With utmost sincerity I say...
F*CK YOU, Mr. CEO Stephenson. F*ck you right in your greedy asshole.
And you can jam that AT&T ball up there while you're at it.
/rage over

jaylectricity: Weaver95: I was grandfathered in on verizon's unlimited data plan.

I'm grandfathered in on not paying a data fee for my phone.

I got my iPhone 4S at an AT&T store. They had no line on opening day but the Apple Store had a line of 50 people. They thanked me for my several years of service and grandfathered in my unlimited plan. I'n not using murderous amounts of bandwidth, but it's one less thing I have to worry about.

From what I've learned about AT&T from working for them, this sounds about right.

99% of the data is used by 1% of the people

#Occupycelltowers

The reason apple came up with iMessage was to be helpful to consumers, try thinking about the consumer instead and you won't have services like that pop up.

What a farktard.

Weaver95: CitizenTed: Isn't America is supposed to be the place where clever and daring new thinkers revolutionize markets?.

no, that's just what the corporate whores tell the unwashed masses. in reality, corporations are fine with buying tax breaks, legal loopholes and f*cking over their customers all while lying their asses off to protect their illegal monopolies. nobody ever challenges them because of the pro-corp propaganda. stand up and point out that what they're doing isn't remotely 'free market' and you get shouted down for being 'socalist'. try and change things and you'll face stiff resistance. show up at a protest and expect to get a beat down for your troubles. sure, you could vote to change things...but honestly, the corporations will just buy out whomever you end up electing.

Let's be honest here. AT&T, deserving or not -got farked.

The corporate officers get bonus's based on earnings. That means "this year's earnings" and not future earnings or future viability. So they make decisions for the near future rather than what is best for them.

They got into some deal with Apple and gambled that the IPhone would not be as big of a success as it is. It's almost as if they were boxed into a deal with Apple because in the short term (2007 was it?) -the deal looked like a sweeeet revenue deal. Of course if the IPhone was popular -then the AT&T networks wouldn't be able to handle the traffic.

All of this should have been mitigated by regulation forcing a company like AT&T to upgrade their Networks -so that they could have minimal QOS guarantees per customer... but you know -with corporate lobbying and all -how dare we tell AT&T to honor their contracts (that's Socialism).

But I don't blame capitalism for AT&T getting pawned. I blame their corporate officers. Fire the lot of them.

And this is one more reason why I have Verizon and Sprint for my cellular needs. I know I'm nothing but a ATM to the big companies, but at least Verizon and Sprint have the wherewithal to not publicly announce how pissed they are that I use their service and it would be a lot cooler if I just paid them a bunch of money and left my phone turned off.

I used to have AT&T and T-Mobile, and GSM was great, but I can't give one cent of my money to any company who, time after time, complains about actually having to provide me with the service I pay for. I really wish the SBC merger was never allowed to go through. SBC is just an awful corporation, the Enron of telecom if you will, and I even had to drop my T-Mobile line to make sure none of my money was getting to them through roaming agreements.

Verizon and Sprint...nothing but kudos to them. I've never looked back, and say what you will about Sprint, at least they try to keep their customers happy, even if their data network is a bit overloaded. I'll deal with the inconvenience (and lower price) to sleep at night knowing I don't support the death star in any way.

CitizenTed: FTA: "You lie awake at night worrying about what is that which will disrupt your business model," he said. "Apple iMessage is a classic example. If you're using iMessage, you're not using one of our messaging services, right? That's disruptive to our messaging revenue stream."

Spoken like a true monopolist dinosaur. I wouldn't want this guy running my local pizzeria, much less a huge telecom. Isn't America is supposed to be the place where clever and daring new thinkers revolutionize markets?

That last question was rhetorical. We all know the answer.

If ever there was a quote that screams "I admit that I'm not fit to lead a company because I'm scared of competition and I don't want to invest anything into keeping my product/service competitive," that's it.

People always compare the relative size of countries that have faster connections, and that is a good argument for the huge expanses of lightly populated land area in the US, but it doesn't explain why densely populated areas also have total crap internet speeds compared to other countries. And it doesn't explain why Canada and Russia have faster internet speeds.

On the other side, I think it's bullshiat that they make data for smart phones mandatory. My HTC has a bug in the OS that disabled data permanently if you go overseas and turn it on. I need to reinstall it but the phone works flawlessly without it. So don't feed me crap about them not working without data.

I, for one, am outraged, outraged I tell you that AT&T finds itself being mercilessly victimized by its customers.

I'm on the $35 Virgin Mobile plan for Android. $110 phone, no contract, and I get 300 minutes, 2.5 GB of data, and unlimited texting. Yes, the data rate sucks, and the Android phone is a couple of years old, but it works for what I need it to do.

spman: I'm posting this from my iPhone right now, so I'm getting a kick. Seriously though, from what I've read, European carriers have no problem at all with capacity and offer unlimited data at even faster speeds than we currently have, so fark you AT&T and your unwillingness to upgrade your systems. And don't even start with the BS about losing revenues from text messages that literally use no data and don't cost anything, but you still have to gaul to charge $30 a month for. fark you.

Yup. I cant find the post i made so i dont remember exact numbers and dont feel like redoing the math... but if i recall correctly; if a text message, that without a plan would cost you $.20, were represented by a 1" cube, then an average 2gb data plan could then be represented by a 20' cube and if charged the same rate would cost $2.5 million dollars.

and hot

I May Be Crazy But...: jaylectricity: Weaver95: I was grandfathered in on verizon's unlimited data plan.

I'm grandfathered in on not paying a data fee for my phone.

I'm grandfathered in on that too. Because, like my grandfather, I don't use my phone to look at the internet.

That's what you meant, right?

Yup. In fact, I have two cell phones. One of them is because I cancelled my landline but didn't want to lose the number. That phone that now would require a $10 data/email package.

"Every additional megabyte you use in this network, I have to invest capital."

And there you can understand why AT&T continues to put out slick commercials instead of improving their weak network.

/Why do people use AT&T now?

Enemabag Jones: /Why do people use AT&T now?

Because bighairyguy is a valued customer!