AT&T resumes iPhone sales, concerns remain

Customers who had ordered iPhones through AT&T’s Web site were told that the device will be unavailable for a period starting Dec. 27 till the afternoon of the following day.

Sales through retail stores in the area and Apple’s Web site were unaffected.

Offering explanation, AT&T issued a statement saying, “We periodically modify our promotions and distribution channels. The iPhone is available in our New York retail stores and those of our partners.”

AT&T’s network inefficient?
The incident has only raised concerns and caused rumors that AT&T’s network is too flimsy to handle Apple’s massive wireless data traffic.

Rich Doherty, head of the Envisioneering Group, a research firm, was quoted by BusinessWeek as saying, "Clearly AT&T is struggling with quality-of-service concerns.”

Even in the past, AT&T, the exclusive wireless carrier for iPhones in the nation, has been lambasted for the quality of its network coverage. Users have complaint about delayed text and voice messages, sluggish download speeds, and other network related problems.

Verizon Wireless, a rival wireless operator, has also criticized AT&T, alleging that it is incapable to handle the demand for iPhones.

Even AT&T has acknowledged it publically that its network needs improvement. The company’s Mobility Chief Executive Officer Ralph de la Vega said at the investor conference this month, “While there's more to be done, including [in] places like Manhattan and San Francisco, I want to assure you that we have a high sense of urgency."

Readers’ reactions
The company has yet not indicated the cause leading to the halt, and the rumors that its network is flimsy have only made matters worse. A lot of readers have taken to blogs and forums to express their annoyance.

A reader named mattburley1993 commented on CNET News, “Apple and AT&T should have been responsible and provided a full notice on their web site as they took it down to inform customers. One more reason NOT to choose AT&T.”

Another reader named Brad F posted his view on mashable.com, “instead of wasting that money on advertising they should have bought a few more cell phone towers to provide that supposed best 3G coverage they have.”

“AT&T has been doing one thing for decades... PHONES. Yet they apparently can't even get basic phone services to work anymore. I think it's time the FCC steps in and says you can get out of any contract if you have a bad network,” stated a reader named narq on consumerist.com.