The recently changed wireless terms of service banning video streaming and P2P activity caused an uproar among AT&T customers. The company sent Engadget the following statement retracting the new TOS:
The language added on March 30 to AT&T’s wireless data service Terms and Conditions was done in error. It was brought to our attention and we have since removed it. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Chalk a win on that battle for the consumers!
Austin News AT&T, mistake, retract, terms of service, tos
According to Apple Insider, AT&T is trying to increase the coverage, reliability, and speed of it’s 3g network for the coming of Apple’s next-gen iPhone. The new iPhone hardware is expected to be released this summer, perhaps during WWDC in June as they did last year.
The current network supports up to 3.6Mb/s, however AT&T also stated they have capabilities to go to 7.2Mb/s, with 14.4 and 20Mb/s in the next few years. The next gen iPhone is reported to have high-speed HSDPA (7.2Mb/s), which would require and improvement to AT&T’s network.
Apple has been evaluating a portion of the network upgrade already accessible to its engineers for testing purposes and is genuinely impressed with its speed. A person familiar with the situation commented that Apple iPhone engineers have “never gotten pages to load as fast as they were loading on the new routers.”
The previous iPhone releases all featured upgrades before the release of the 2G EDGE upgrade and the HSPA upgrade before the iPhone 3G last year. Will AT&T be able to complete this speed increase before the third generation iPhone is released?
Austin News AT&T, hsdpa, increase, network, speed, third-generation
Not only is Apple selling contract-free iPhones, now it appears they are offering early upgrade on the Apple handset at subsidized pricing. Ordinarily, AT&T would only allow such a upgrade with the subsidized pricing after the 24 month contract plan is over. This offer began next week and is being extended to customers on a case-by-case basis.
Apple Insider is reporting that AT&T representatives have confirmed that the company is waiving the upgrade clause for customers approximately 14 months into their two-year contract. The terms seem to be pretty lenient, as retail employees are free to grant upgrades at subsidized pricing for users who aren’t quite done with their contract. Accessing and reviewing the account holders information and reviewing history with AT&T also comes into play. If you’ve been a long and loyal customers you should be golden.
Has anyone received an upgrade before you’re two-year contract was up? Lets us know!
Austin General Discussion, News AT&T, early upgrade, iphone 3g, subsidized
BGR reports that AT&T may have a handset exchange program brewing to be launched this June. Will the supposed iPhone release imminent, we like to this is involved. It seems as though AT&T is looking for a solution to squash the angry crowd that decided to buy a handset early or feel they should be owed the subsidized price.
- The phone being traded in in can’t be more than two years old and must be in fair shape (if you sent a pic of it in during the Bold giveaway, don’t bother)
- The new phone will not have any subsidies applied to it, so basically whatever your trade-in covers will be your “savings”
- Trade-ins will be valued from $50 to $200
If AT&T does go through with this, it would provide a great solution for customers to upgrade to the latest and greatest version.
Austin News AT&T, subsidy, trade-in
It’s that time again. Like last December, AT&T is offering refurb iPhone 3Gs. This $99 deal is currently only available in the 8GB black version, but they also have 16GB refurbs in black and white for $199.
As always a two year contract and data plan are required with this purchase. AT&T is also offering free 2-day priority shipping on all orders. If you’re currently in the market to buy an iPhone 3G, don’t let this deal pass you up.
More info and ordering available on AT&T site. [Link]
Austin General Discussion 16gb, 8gb, AT&T, black, Refurb, white
Apple recently pushed a carrier update to all iPhone users. What’s in this update? Carrier images for overseas providers, such as UAE Emirates, and carrier images for AT&T MicroCell (Page currently down) service are now included. MicroCell acts as a miniature cell tower pulling a 3G signal from broadband internet, thus increasing the coverage and quality in the area of the tower.
Below is AT&T’s description of the MicroCell. Pricing and release information have not yet been released. With similar devices as Sprint’s AIRWAVE and Verizon Network Extender, it will be interesting to see how AT&T device will compete.
AT&T 3G MicroCell acts like a mini cellular tower in your home or small business environment. It connects to AT&T’s network via your existing broadband internet service (such as DSL or cable) and is designed to support up to 10 3G capable wireless phones in a home or small business setting. With AT&T 3G MicroCell, you receive improved cellular signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications, like picture messaging and surfing the web for up to 4 simultaneous users.
Pricing and release information have not yet been released. With similar devices as Sprint’s AIRWAVE and Verizon Network Extender, it will be interesting to see how AT&T device will compete.
Austin General Discussion AT&T, Carrier, MicroCell
