AT&T may have to limit iPhone users

Hmmm (tisk, tisk,tisk).

This will be a gripe to some abusers of the cellular network who may or may not have posted (you know who you are) on this article and somewhat to AT&T.

I don't live in an area where one would typically experience low quality 3G service from AT&T so my mention here won't be a direct result of my good relationship as a customer of said company. That being said, I would still like to make some observations based upon what I have read in the article and posts.

To AT&T, I would like to mention that you shouldn't offer, or continue to offer an "unlimited package" of any kind if your infrastructure cannot support a customer base on it. You are now seeing how the successful adoption of a few products (hardware and services) are beginning to take down your network in certain areas. If indeed you advertise capability of supporting total use of iPhones/smartphones on your system then you better darn well guarantee it. But, if you find yourselves coming up short on bandwidth with increased sales of said devices in certain localities then publicly announce reasons why BEFORE you curtail sales/services to those areas. At least let people know before you create sour binding relationships. In those times where you find yourselves temporarily and unexpectedly short on bandwidth in certain areas due to circumstances beyond your control, use that free texting feature (you use to advise or advertise) to make a public appeal for wise use of resources until the heavy use crisis period is over. This is common courtesy! Believe me, a number of casual or recreational users will respond by freeing up some bandwidth in order to be kind to those who REALLY need it, maybe some will have the conscience to recognize the probable collapse of the communications network THEY SHARE would be even worse. Next, use those statistics to determine where capacity upgrades should be applied and act upon implementing them immediately! You will only be able to "cry wolf" for so long. Ideally, you should be looking at statistics to keep ahead of demand anyway! Be a responsible corporation and manage your infrastructure in a customer friendly way.

We users are a spoiled lot, aren't we? But some much more so, including but not limited to the 3% hogging 40% of the network mentioned in the article. Is it really necessary to be continuously connected to "social networks" jabbering/texting/facebooking/myspacing about inane things such as: new nails, sports team scores, burned roots from the hair salon, "THAT botox session was PAINFUL", what's for dinner?, OMG hez so dum!, did you score last night?, I (heart) u, PAW, etc through a cellular network? Wouldn't social relationships be much better if people met in person rather than with phones stuck to ears/fingers with butts either sitting somewhere or riding in/navigating SUVs/cars/motorbikes on public thoroughfares? Is it REALLY better to Duke Nukum on 3G instead of wifi on a mobile? Better yet, a home computer with a BIG screen over ethernet? Is it REALLY better to view a video in real time over 3G rather than wifi or downloading via iTunes at home for later viewing? Will it kill anybody to curtail inane use of 3G networks? Is it really necessary for certain people to have such total mobile connectivity to whatever they define as their "network" every waking moment of their lives? COME ON!!! Be reasonable.

I work in the utility industry (no, not communications) where it has seen a few public appeals to necessary use of energy or the contracted curtailment of certain types of non critical use during unexpected heavy demand or sudden loss of capacity (usually severe weather or equipment failure related). These tactics work, from a company standpoint it prevents forced outages or rolling backouts and preserves the infrastructure for the necessary needs of all customers. Planning departments are always trying to keep ahead of such instances but an unforseen circumstance may still arise making a public appeal necessary. Furthermore, since we as customers (me included, no discounts here) pay for wh

How do you offer unlimited data and then tell someone how much data to use...?  I feel the company underestimated its customers needs for high-speed data.  The iPhone was introduced with all its bells and whistles and people took advantage of it. Why else would you shell out $500...so I can look at it and think this is a cute phone...no to get the most of what I have...and that is what an unlimited plan is for...to allow me to get the most of what I have.  Now it is ATT time to step up and not by limiting my usage but by upgrading so that I can still use my phone as much as I want...isn't that the definition of UNLIMITED?

iPhone users are exceeding no quota regardless of how much data is used.  The plan is unlimited.  If AT&T was not prepared to handle this then they should not have agreed to it...quite simple, really.  If AT&T wants to mess with customers who are paying top tier prices for their phones than AT&T will lose those customers.  AT&T is already more expensive than all other companies when you consider the ridiculous prices that you have to pay for text messaging.  AT&T does not even give free texting for multiple phones on the same plan.  If AT&T starts charging me more to use my phone I will buy out my plan and leave.

Ditto!

Good point....! If it hasn't occurred to iPhone yet, hope they are reading this.

D_princess, Sony doesn't hold the iPhone, Apple does.