AT&T Nervous About Upcoming iPhone MMS Launch?

[Rescuer]

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Nervous-About-Smooth-iPhone-MMS-Launch-104606

AT&T Nervous About Smooth iPhone MMS Launch
Source says that 10AM Eastern on Friday is the magic hour...
12:05PM Wednesday Sep 23 2009 by Karl Bode
tags: business · bandwidth · wireless

Insiders involved with AT&T's belated launch of iPhone MMS support tell us that everybody's highly anxious about the launch, as the carrier rushes to beef up infrastructure in order to handle the added strain the functionality will impose on the carrier's systems. Earlier this month AT&T announced that the functionality would be dropping September 25 (aka this Friday). Some users started seeing MMS functionality working last week as AT&T and its partners finalized testing, and most users are being sent an SMS on the coming change.

"Starting at 10AM Eastern (on the 25), AT&T will send out a mass text to a group of iPhone users telling them that MMS now works on their phone," says one source familiar with AT&T's MMS plans. "They will keep doing groups of phones on the hour throughout the day" assuming all goes well, says the source.

According to the source, AT&T is "very" nervous about the launch and is requesting their MMS aggregator partners provide hourly updates on any message delays or problems. AT&T and its MMS partners are already seeing "record traffic during peak hours of the night" with just the users selected for testing.

That early testing has been a little rocky, with AT&T seeing a fairly significant test outage yesterday that has them rushing to beef up their MMSC messaging servers. Estimates among those working on the project are that traffic on AT&T's wireless network will be about 40% higher all day on Friday as iPhone users fire pictures and video at one another.

Given the amount of grief AT&T's been given concerning their network lately, the company needs a smooth MMS launch to stay on the good graces of annoyed iPhone users. AT&T's taken a beating in recent months for belated MMS and tethering functionality, rocky 3G connectivity and coverage, and crippled applications.

AT&T subsequently launched somewhat of a PR offensive aimed at convincing the press and public the company was doing everything in its power to beef up network infrastructure, including additional backhaul links and towers, as well as a migration to 850 MHz spectrum in heavily congested markets.

[thegoldenmackid]

The network is already pretty crippled it seems.

[Gav2k]

It'll add strain to the network for a few days then it'll settle as the novelty wears off. Can't see the fuss about mms to be honest.

[AbSoluTc]

Like most have said, it's a novelty that will strain the network for a couple of days and then all will be normal again. MMS for me anyways, is nothing but old tech. I'd rather upload my video/pic to flickr and have everyone see it than to send a low quality video/pic to one person. I might use it once in a blue moon but I am not drooling over it.

[rjsmith18]

I can't imagine how long it would take to send an MMS. It already takes about ten seconds to send a regular text.

[Blueline29]

I can't imagine how long it would take to send an MMS. It already takes about ten seconds to send a regular text.

It takes maybe 5 seconds, tops, for me to send an MMS.

[rjsmith18]

It takes maybe 5 seconds, tops, for me to send an MMS.

Wow, could be a connection issue in my area.

[richxps]

Wait so does this mean we will be getting the carrier update over the air ?
If no need for Itunes than that would be great since I will not be at my PC until the end of the day.

[rjsmith18]

Wait so does this mean we will be getting the carrier update over the air ?
If no need for Itunes than that would be great since I will not be at my PC until the end of the day.

I've been wondering the same thing, but I think we would need one because the option to add an image is not in the text app. It would be nice if they did do the update through wireless.

[-aggie-]

Wait so does this mean we will be getting the carrier update over the air ?
If no need for Itunes than that would be great since I will not be at my PC until the end of the day.

Where did you get that impression? You'll go to iTunes and get a carrier update, as before.

[Gav2k]

I've been wondering the same thing, but I think we would need one because the option to add an image is not in the text app. It would be nice if they did do the update through wireless.

The software your running be it 3.0 3.01 or 3.1 has the ability to send mms you require the carrier file to tell the phone that the service is there then the icon and features will show.

[jav6454]

Wait so does this mean we will be getting the carrier update over the air ?
If no need for Itunes than that would be great since I will not be at my PC until the end of the day.

Where did you get this notion? It requires a Carrier Update from iTunes.

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/23/atandt-nervous-about-upcoming-iphone-mms-launch/)

DSLReports claims (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Nervous-About-Smooth-iPhone-MMS-Launch-104606) to have received word from a source noting that AT&T is extremely nervous about the impending launch (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/03/atandt-announces-iphone-mms-launch-date-september-25/) of MMS for the iPhone scheduled for this Friday. Early testing of the service has apparently already placed a strain on the company's MMS servers, resulting in a test outage yesterday and a last-minute rush to beef up capacity beyond the measures already taken.AT&T and its MMS partners are already seeing "record traffic during peak hours of the night" with just the users selected for testing.

That early testing has been a little rocky, with AT&T seeing a fairly significant test outage yesterday that has them rushing to beef up their MMSC messaging servers. Estimates among those working on the project are that traffic on AT&T's wireless network will be about 40% higher all day on Friday as iPhone users fire pictures and video at one another.The source also revealed AT&T's plans for rolling out the service on Friday, with deployments scheduled in groups to begin at 10:00 AM Eastern time, with new groups being activated on an hourly basis after that in order to slowly ramp demand and gauge service performance.Starting at 10AM Eastern (on the 25), AT&T will send out a mass text to a group of iPhone users telling them that MMS now works on their phone," says one source familiar with AT&T's MMS plans. "They will keep doing groups of phones on the hour throughout the day" assuming all goes well, says the source.

Article Link: AT&T Nervous About Upcoming iPhone MMS Launch? (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/23/atandt-nervous-about-upcoming-iphone-mms-launch/)

[cantthinkofone]

Absolutely ridiculous their network can't handle a few pictures and videos from iphones.

[jav6454]

I already have MMS, so for me it'd over already.

Absolutely ridiculous their network can't handel a few pictures and videos from iphones.

Per phone, so imagine 22 million pixeled images at the same time. Analogy time: This is like complaining a Rain Gutter overflows with a rain drop. Obvious it won't, but add a few more rain drops, see what happens.

[foofan]

Apple is setting them up to fail. Apple is going to need to have multiple carriers offer service. It is becoming to popular for one company to handle all the data

[IronCross]

Absolutely ridiculous their network can't handle a few pictures and videos from iphones.
I think it's more the fact that of the millions of iPhone users, you have to think at least a few hundred thousand, or a million, are gonna slam the servers all at once.

I don't care what carrier it is, adding that much additional load all at the same time is gonna hurt.

[cocky jeremy]

*sigh* I really hope Verizon gets the iPhone. I’ll switch in two seconds. I hate AT&T, really, i do. :mad:

[cantthinkofone]

Per phone, so imagine 22 million pixeled images at the same time. Analogy time: This is like complaining a Rain Gutter overflows with a rain drop. Obvious it won't, but add a few more rain drops, see what happens.

Thats why it's a good idea to clean your gutters out and make sure they aren't clogged with leafs, sticks, walnuts, acorns, etc etc ;)

[macaco74]

I suspect this will be a failed launch - already making excuses.

[EgbertAttrick]

Yay! More AT&T bullspit!

[..........?]

I already have MMS, so for me it'd over already.



Per phone, so imagine 22 million pixeled images at the same time. Analogy time: This is like complaining a Rain Gutter overflows with a rain drop. Obvious it won't, but add a few more rain drops, see what happens.

yes that true if there are many raindrop then it will over flow. I am not expecting the network to be able to take everyone sending mms at the same time but at least the network should be able to take at least 1/4 to 1/2 the people on the network sending mms at the same time.

[theheadguy]

Where are all the people who say "nobody uses MMS" and "just e-mail it"?? :rolleyes: Again, it's PATHETIC that att can't handle this... With the iphone having 4.x% marketshare, you'd think the worlds 'most advanced cell phone network' could handle some pics, ESPECIALLY with the many opinions here that nobody will really use the feature that much. Also goes to show that apple couldn't give a ***** about quality, but instead the bottom dollar, at least when it comes to USING the product.

[str1f3]

This company has proven to be inept. I'm so sick of hearing about what they can't handle. They have been doing a lousy job and continue to do so. Apple has to end this exclusivity deal next year.

[cubedweller]

I'd never actually use the MMS feature on a regular basis but come Friday I'm going to send tons of them. :D It really is AT&T's fault for not enabling MMS all along and slowly beefing up the network as more and more iPhones signed up.

[thelumpya2]

Where did you get this notion? It requires a Carrier Update from iTunes.


This does seem like the most logical way for it to take place, and its what everybody has been assuming all along, but is there any REAL evidence to back it up?

has apple actually come out and said that? or att?

I'm not disagreeing by any means, because I'm assuming I'll have to update my carrier file through itunes too.. just curious..

[richxps]

I just figured that the carrier file is so small it could be something done over the air. I guess it would be eaiser but i looks like Itunes it will be.

Thanks.

[johnmcboston]

This company has proven to be inept. I'm so sick of hearing about what they can't handle. They have been doing a lousy job and continue to do so. Apple has to end this exclusivity deal next year.

AT&T was a cellular carrier. Then they went out of business because they couldn't do it right. But still wanted to be a phone company, so they bought cingular and tried again. Guess what... :)

[pika2000]

I have a feeling that it boiled down to an exec saying he/she could save the company $$$ by over-utilizing the towers and shaving some upgrades. Really, I've seen too many companies skimping on things to save a dollar or two at the expense of customers, and in the end would actually cost the company a ton more money to resolve things.

[DipDog3]

Wow, AT&T has had FOREVER to prepare!

I guess they want to get away with spending as little as possible on providing service so they can spend that cash on marketing the iPhone.

[acole2010]

Expect a terrible delay in the ability to send a picture and we should all be happy. I bet some iphones wont be able to send pictures and video until next Friday.

[jointsmoking]

Woah, glad I have no need for this service. It might be fun to watch the whining.

[Scooterman1]

I suspect this will be a failed launch - already making excuses.

Where are you reading this. This is a DSLReports article. I don't see anything in there quoting AT&T.... Am I missing something?

I'm not a Rocket Scientist, but I DO know that it takes a little time for a Gallon of water to run through a straw.

The normal usage won't be that high, but the Initial Usage will....

[SFStateStudent]

I think I hear footsteps; yes, it's VERIZON looking over AT&T's shoulder and laughing....:D

[jbennardo]

Wow, this should get interesting. If they foul this up... oh boy.

[Amdahl]

but at least the network should be able to take at least 1/4 to 1/2 the people on the network sending mms at the same time.

That would be a ridiculous amount of capacity.

AT&T was a cellular carrier. Then they went out of business because they couldn't do it right. But still wanted to be a phone company, so they bought cingular and tried again. Guess what... :)

You're forgetting that SBC bought AT&T in between those two events and then changed their name to AT&T. AT&T != AT&T.

However, AT&T Wireless (a separate company) was sold to Cingular(owned by SBC & Bell South) in 2004. Before SBC bought Bell South, and before they bought AT&T.

Confused yet?

[8CoreWhore]

Perhaps they should block the video MMS the first few days to get over the hump. Anyway, I'll have my iPhone on EDGE for a few days so my voice service doesn't get interrupted. Y2K!!!:p

[the-oz-man]

The idiocracy of this company continues to amaze me beyond my widest imagination of idiots.

[eh270]

So, is this going to mean that sending SMS/MMS will be slow? Or that the already horrific number of failed and dropped calls will only get worse?

Frankly, I'd rather they didn't unveil MMS... I haven't found myself wishing I could send pics via SMS, email makes more sense.

[opuslab]

*sigh* I really hope Verizon gets the iPhone. I’ll switch in two seconds. I hate AT&T, really, i do. :mad:

Good luck using your Verizon phone overseas! I've had AT&T since 2004 and I would never switch to anything else. My iPhone works well no matter where I am in the world.

[skippinjack]

I think I hear footsteps; yes, it's VERIZON looking over AT&T's shoulder and laughing....:D

AMEN brother, AMEN.

[mister880]

I'm happy to have MMS, but I haven't had it in 3 years. I also know everyone will go MMS happy for the first few days. Then it will drop down to normal traffic. They should charge an extra $3.00 a month for the service and people who really want it would sign up and pay. People who don't need it or use it often could go pay per use.

This would stop all the one time senders testing out the network.

Why AT&T would send a blanket text to all it's customers telling them to start testing MMS all day is beyond silly! I would have done ODD NUMBERS Friday and Even numbers Saturday.

I also would wait for Friday EOD @ 6:00 to launch service so that people who depend on their iPhone aren't out of work because of the network going down.


Just my two cents.

Kevin Leidecker

[Manzana]

Oh great...another big fail for AT&T? What is wrong with them? Did they ever plan on rolling out MMS? How could they not be ready for this after 2 years of iPhones? Why do they always blame iPhone and iPhone users for their network issues?

[mattwolfmatt]

I suspect everyone will try to sent one video/picture on Friday . . . it will take a while, perhaps a crash or two, everyone will complain, then Saturday or Sunday it will start to work, but only because not everyone is doing it all at once. Then the novelty will wear off for 80% of iphone users and they'll never use it again.

If AT&T can get through Friday (even with a few crashes) they'll be fine. Remember the iphone 2.0 launch? Everyone was syncing their mobileme data at the same time and the servers couldn't handle it. Once the initial bump wore off, it was fine.

[HD303]

http://www.geardiary.com/2009/07/28/we-dont-care-we-dont-have-to-were-the-iphone-companies/

[salesguy]

Wow, this is going to be interesting on Friday.

[davidangel]

Verizon.

[Stewie]

This company has proven to be inept. I'm so sick of hearing about what they can't handle. They have been doing a lousy job and continue to do so. Apple has to end this exclusivity deal next year.

Who are they going to use? TMobile. They don't even have a real 3G network yet. And they won't be going to Verizon or Sprint as those are CDMA networks. I think people need to learn that until Verizon rolls out LTE AT&T is the only carrier that will have the iPhone. And LTE is a long way off.

[bubba*nix]

What CAN'T AT&T screw up? :eek:

[Baywatchboy]

AT&T was a cellular carrier. Then they went out of business because they couldn't do it right. But still wanted to be a phone company, so they bought cingular and tried again. Guess what... :)

Actually Cingular bought AT&T and kept the AT&T name because it was better known.

[Lesser Evets]

When is Apple going to ditch AT&T and go with Verizon for phone service?

I'm sick of being 10 miles from the AT&T line, thus unable to get an iPhone.

[salesguy]

What CAN'T AT&T screw up? :eek:

They always bill the customers on time.

[/dev/toaster]

I *really* hope that Apple gets smart and drops the AT&T exclusive deal. AT&T is pretty worthless. They have had many months to load test this, having a system crumble with a small test group is totally unacceptable.

[Manzana]

*sigh* I really hope Verizon gets the iPhone. I’ll switch in two seconds. I hate AT&T, really, i do. :mad:

Never gonna happen

[slffl]

Where the hell is all of this money going that they are scamming from us by over-charging for SMS already? My guess is into the pockets of the board members and senior management.

edit: BTW, please give it up cell network fanboys. I've had them all and they are ALL THE SAME!

[infernohellion]

I don't know why other carriers around the world don't have this issue :S

[guzhogi]

I hope this does 2 things:
-Make AT&T upgrade its service (ie more towers, more servers, more everything else)
-Make Apple let go of its exclusivity to AT&T & let more carriers. If we can get Verizon, T-Mobile & Sprint to come, that should help even out the demand. Plus, it'll bring all those would-be iPhone buyers over who just loathe AT&T, meaning more $$$ for Apple.

[mmccaskill]

I hope it fails. For three years straight, AT&T has fracked the activation process. If Apple hasn't had serious talks with other US carriers, then this fail should prompt them to.

[JoeDRC]

It might just be me, but when O2 enabled MMS shortly after 3.0 was released, well the novelty wore off pretty quickly.
Saying that, I've used Vcards a couple of times and I do enjoy that convenience :]

[johnmcboston]

My iPhone works well no matter where I am in the world.

Funny, I have trouble getting it to work in downtown Boston. If you're in a location with a lot of people, like South Station or Tech Square, you have problems. Phone calls may work, but all your data requests time out. I can only assume it's a capacity issue that they don't feel like addressing...

[HiRez]

I must have different friends than most people. I get maybe 3-4 MMS messages a month sent at me, is it really that much of a strain? Well, we all know AT&T's network sucks ass, I guess it's not too surprising.

[creon]

I'm confused on how letting iPhone users send MMS is going to create an "End of the World" experience for AT&T. My old phones could send MMS and the networks are capable of sending MMS so what is the cause for all of the calamity?

Is it the sheer volume of iPhone users that imposes this 'Y2K' fear from AT&T?

****We should all send MMS @ once to show AT&T how much we are sick of their excuses! :D ****

[mcbridea88]

nvm

[DaKyng]

I don't think AT&T is saying they won't be able to handle the regular MMS traffic, but the massive influx of traffic caused by iPhone users trying out MMS. It's highly likely that even those who have no plans to use MMS in the future are going to at least try it out tomorrow, overloading the servers. This would happen with any carrier. Also, remember the release of the iPhone 3G and 2.0. Apple had big problems with their servers because of the increased traffic. The same thing is going to happen to AT&T's servers tomorrow, possibly on a much larger scale.

I'm not a fan of AT&T either, but it's unfair to say that any issue is because of their incompetence and that Verizon/Sprint/T-Mobile or whatever wouldn't be faced with a similar situation if one of them were the exclusive carrier instead.

[Amdahl]

Actually Cingular bought AT&T and kept the AT&T name because it was better known.

No, Cingular bought AT&T WIreless. and changed their name to Cingular. Later, SBC bought AT&T and Bell South (who co-owned Cingular), and changed the name of EVERYBODY to AT&T.

[*LTD*]

I think it's more the fact that of the millions of iPhone users, you have to think at least a few hundred thousand, or a million, are gonna slam the servers all at once.

I don't care what carrier it is, adding that much additional load all at the same time is gonna hurt.

This.

Mind you, I don't know what that's like, since I'm with Rogers up here in Canada. We've had MMS since the first day of the 3.0 release. Pretty smooth sailing so far. Thethering is included, too, no extra charge. I suppose it as rather slow on New Year's Eve each year, but I don't recall offhand.

[specify]

They asked for it. Releasing it on one day isn't really smart

[sishaw]

So, is this going to mean that sending SMS/MMS will be slow? Or that the already horrific number of failed and dropped calls will only get worse?

Frankly, I'd rather they didn't unveil MMS... I haven't found myself wishing I could send pics via SMS, email makes more sense.

It's the other people with older phones who don't have that option and so have to use MMS to send pictures to the iPhone. That's why MMS is needed.

[drnen]

ugh so tired of these clowns. Ive had issues with my last 3 monthly bills in a row. As much as i like my iphone, my pleasure with the hardware no longer overshadows the bs i put up with to be on an AT&T network. I am VERY close to jumping to sprint now that they have that 70/month all inclusive deal. I still prefer the iphone but i think i could 'get by' with a pre or a hero. It would be worth it just to be done with att and hopefully wait it out til Apple finally gets out of that exclusivity agreement because it is utterly destroying the user experience of their phone...

[charlituna]

Absolutely ridiculous their network can't handle a few pictures and videos from iphones.

the way folks have been screaming about this, they are guessing it won't be 'a few', more like they assume that no one will bother with a simple text anymore. of course this is not likely but if they figure it will be no big deal and it is and kills the system they look like douchebags.

I heard they actually sent a reminder out to all iphones a couple of days ago, probably so if things do crash they can say that no one should be freaking, something new was launched. great move.

[MizzouCowboy]

I'm sick of all the whining about how people wish Verizon would get the iPhone. These same individuals would then piss and moan about Verizon when the network didn't give them what they wanted...which is perfection.

Sorry, but I live in the real world where you don't get all you want for free or things don't always work the way you want them to work. I've been with AT&T since before they were Cingular. Has it always been good? No. Has it always been bad? No. A few dropped calls here and there, a little lag on the network during peak times, but all in all, I like AT&T. Verizon is not all it's cracked up to be, NO wireless network could meet the demands of some people here. They always seem to want another company to step in and save the day...reminds me a lot of football fans whose savior is the guy who is sitting on the bench. Then when they get him...they find out he's not that good either and begin again to bitch about him and wanting the next guy on the bench.

The moral of the story...be happy...it's not that hard, seriously.

[billchase2]

Friday should be interesting...

[vvebsta]

ha its going to turn into the dmv where you have to wait in line to send your mms. "please hold and your picture will be sent in the order it was received."

[runeasgar]

this has fail written all over it.

at least people won't be able to argue that the data throughput of the iphone isn't drastically higher than other phones. but it's still sad it takes so long for a cellular giant to move.

[iPhoneDave]

Oh great...another big fail for AT&T? What is wrong with them? Did they ever plan on rolling out MMS? How could they not be ready for this after 2 years of iPhones? Why do they always blame iPhone and iPhone users for their network issues?

I think it is interesting it is all AT&Ts fault for this. I seem to remember a company that came out with an iPhone not capable of MMS because they were going to change the world into using email instead. Guess what, they were wrong and have now left AT&T high and dry to add millions of users. ANY cell phone company would have troubles with this so don't expect it to be flawless.

[Velorium]

It might just be me, but when O2 enabled MMS shortly after 3.0 was released, well the novelty wore off pretty quickly.
Saying that, I've used Vcards a couple of times and I do enjoy that convenience :]

The novelty does wear off, but it is useful at times. Plus other networks have this available for lesser phones.

[bytethese]

I think I hear footsteps; yes, it's VERIZON looking over AT&T's shoulder and laughing....:D

Laughing or crying in regards to the millions in revenue they passed up on?

[zephyr313]

So the real question here is why AT&T is spending all this money on new infrastructure and servers to simply move pictures and video around using antiquated MMS infrastructure. The iPhone sends e-mails just fine, right? (Where you're lucky enough to have a signal, of course).

If AT&T were smart, they'd simply work with Apple to provide an experience that looks/feels like MMS but that works over the normal bulk data connection... whether Wifi or 3G... with a back-end gateway to MMS for compatibility with other networks. Likely for a much lower cost and better user experience.

All these companies think technology first... they don't realize customers aren't paying for HOW the data gets from point A to point B... they're justing paying you to get it there.

On a tangental note... for AT&T... customers already have a love/hate relationship with your network. It sucks. But they still pay for it, me included, because it's better than using a payphone. So who cares if the MMS launch goes sour... we're used to it... we're not going to give up the iPhone because it's the first device where we feel like we own IT, instead of it owning us...

[Maclver]

They asked for it. Releasing it on one day isn't really smart

YA you would like they would have learned from Apple.... i.e Mobile Me, iPhone 2.0, iPhone 3G........

[MacCheetah3]

hi
I think I hear footsteps; yes, it's VERIZON looking over AT&T's shoulder and laughing....:D
Perhaps.... Than again... Watch them duck and cover as they try and "the nation's largest 3G network" comes crumbling down just as hard.

Granted... I don't know all of the details but my thought would be to throw every $$$ you can absolutely spare to upgrade the network / servers and than just sit back and reap the benefits as everyone cheers despite the huge amount of sales of iPhones add to their network without crippling it. Public view ( opinion ) is your biggest marketing tool. Think of it as partial advertising budget.

[HiRez]

I'm sick of all the whining about how people wish Verizon would get the iPhone. These same individuals would then piss and moan about Verizon when the network didn't give them what they wanted...which is perfection.

Hmm, perfection? I think I would settle for 3 out of every 4 calls not either dropping, not completing dialing, one side can't hear the other, digital garbling of the voice, or having a howling echo. I'm not even exaggerating about the 3 out of 4, it really is that bad, and I'm right in the middle of Silicon Valley, not like I'm out on the fringe somewhere. It is by far the worst cel network I've ever used. Sure, I would like more bandwidth for internet, Slingbox, etc., but right now I'd settle for just reliable voice calls, which I definitely do not have. I know at least 15 other people with iPhones and most of them have the same complaints, so it's not just me or my phone.

[Spete]

Ok so its apparently going to be an over the air update? My phone still does not have the little camera next to the text imput area and I am updated to iphone os 3.1. Is there going to be an iTunes update also?

[SCHMEGGA]

IF, and that's a REALLY BIG IF, I actually get MMS on Friday, I am going to send a hundred pics to 40 different contacts at a time.

[steamed.hams]

*sigh* I really hope Verizon gets the iPhone. I’ll switch in two seconds. I hate AT&T, really, i do. :mad:

^I used to blast ppl who say this, but now I'm one of them :(

AT&T sucks

[ob81]

They had ALL of this time to fix any issues. They even released a video with a guy holding his head cocked to the side, telling me that they had this genius plan all along. They were not working on anything.

If they want to help their network, why not give those mini cell tower things out for free.

[runeasgar]

I don't think AT&T is saying they won't be able to handle the regular MMS traffic, but the massive influx of traffic caused by iPhone users trying out MMS. It's highly likely that even those who have no plans to use MMS in the future are going to at least try it out tomorrow, overloading the servers. This would happen with any carrier. Also, remember the release of the iPhone 3G and 2.0. Apple had big problems with their servers because of the increased traffic. The same thing is going to happen to AT&T's servers tomorrow, possibly on a much larger scale.

I'm not a fan of AT&T either, but it's unfair to say that any issue is because of their incompetence and that Verizon/Sprint/T-Mobile or whatever wouldn't be faced with a similar situation if one of them were the exclusive carrier instead.

i fully intend to send pictures of sticky notes instead of sms messages from now on.

[mrrory]

IF, and that's a REALLY BIG IF, I actually get MMS on Friday, I am going to send a hundred pics to 40 different contacts at a time.

Ha ha ha.

[thejadedmonkey]

Where are all the people who say "nobody uses MMS" and "just e-mail it"?? :rolleyes: Again, it's PATHETIC that att can't handle this... With the iphone having 4.x% marketshare, you'd think the worlds 'most advanced cell phone network' could handle some pics, ESPECIALLY with the many opinions here that nobody will really use the feature that much. Also goes to show that apple couldn't give a ***** about quality, but instead the bottom dollar, at least when it comes to USING the product.

4% market share, but uses something like 50% of the network's bandwith. Also, the same people who say "nobody uses MMS" are the same iPeople who are complaining about how AT&T won't be able to handle the influx :p

Seriously, this never would have happened if Apple could have just given everyone MMS from the start, like any normal phone.

[TheSpaz]

I'm excited to watch them go down in flames on this MMS launch. Hehe. I don't care what people do at this point.

[str1f3]

Who are they going to use? TMobile. They don't even have a real 3G network yet. And they won't be going to Verizon or Sprint as those are CDMA networks. I think people need to learn that until Verizon rolls out LTE AT&T is the only carrier that will have the iPhone. And LTE is a long way off.

Give me a break. I'm tired of hearing this argument. Verizon from what I understand is trying to rapidly roll out 4G in hopes of the Apple tablet next year.

Maybe that won't happen. So Apple is incapable of making different iPhone versions that runs on CDMA and GSM while every other manufacturer can? Yes, maybe in a couple of years CDMA will be a dead tech. So Apple can't manage to switch the chips once 4G becomes widely available like every other handset manufacturer will have to do? Somehow I don't believe that Verizon will totally ditch CDMA as soon as 4G rolls around leaving a ton of current phones in the dust.

You're painting a picture of Apple as a company that can't walk and chew gum at the same time. It is enough with the excuses already.

[Wild-Bill]

Note to self: don't expect much out of my iPhone on Friday.


I cannot WAIT until the Apple/AT&T exclusivity agreement is up. AT&T sucks so bad. I can't make calls in my bedroom nor my bathroom. Ridiculous. I lost track of all the dropped calls a long time ago.

[FreeState]

ATT should have done a 5 day roll out giving access according to location. That way only 1/5 the load would be there on the first day of availability - but hey they never asked me...

[iphoneg33k]

Quick question. once they turn on the service is there going to be some kind of icon in the message to attach the picture? Seen some users having a little camera on the left hand side... Just wondering on the Iphone 3g model.

[MizzouCowboy]

Hmm, perfection? I think I would settle for 3 out of every 4 calls not either dropping, not completing dialing, one side can't hear the other, digital garbling of the voice, or having a howling echo. I'm not even exaggerating about the 3 out of 4, it really is that bad, and I'm right in the middle of Silicon Valley, not like I'm out on the fringe somewhere. It is by far the worst cel network I've ever used. Sure, I would like more bandwidth for internet, Slingbox, etc., but right now I'd settle for just reliable voice calls, which I definitely do not have. I know at least 15 other people with iPhones and most of them have the same complaints, so it's not just me or my phone.

3 out of 4 I can understand. Here in Kansas City I get a dropped call maybe 3 or 4 times a month and only in certain areas of the city. It used to be that I would have to go outside to make calls (back before the iPhone) but now, solid bars deep inside the abode. I'm sorry for your experience. You'd think a big city area like yours would be covered more than a smaller city like mine.

[BeyondtheTech]

Was it something I said?

Do you think AT&T will be ready?

What if we all did something on our iPhones at exactly the 12PM noon, Eastern Time on September 25?

Choose a photo or video.
Begin to send it via MMS to another iPhone.
While sending, hit the Home button and immediately launch a data-intensive app, anything from Safari loading a web page, to watching a video on YouTube.
You think AT&T's network can handle it?

Muhahahahahaha....

Anyway, I think MMS should be available in this manner:

Depending on the last digit of your iPhone's telephone number, you can send multimedia messages on that day of the week:
0 = Sunday, 1 = Monday, 2 = Tuesday, 3 = Wednesday, 4 = Thursday, 5 = Friday, 6 = Saturday, 7-9 = Use email instead.

Thank you for your cooperation.
-AT&T

[bbplayer5]

No cell company in America can handle everyone sending MMS on their iphones at the same time... no way, no how. Once the newness of it wears off it should be ok.

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

AT&T was a cellular carrier. Then they went out of business because they couldn't do it right. But still wanted to be a phone company, so they bought cingular and tried again. Guess what... :)

Yea ATT ruined what Cingular was. I loved Cingular. ATT though is the pits.

[Maclver]

Ok so its apparently going to be an over the air update? My phone still does not have the little camera next to the text imput area and I am updated to iphone os 3.1. Is there going to be an iTunes update also?

It will just be a "carrier update" you will plug your iPhone in and it will say there is a carrier update and it will update.

currently we have ATT 5.0 on our iPhone and friday they should release 5.1..

[MacFly123]

If I don't have properly working MMS on Friday I am going to be PISSSSED! :mad:

[munkees]

waw waw waw ATT, may be ATT should spend some of the large amounts of cash it sucking out of us iPhone users, no sympathy from me, I don't care.

plus I think for maybe the first few days there will be a spike, but after that it will level off, as the novice play around will peatier down to regular traffic.

[Spete]

It will just be a "carrier update" you will plug your iPhone in and it will say there is a carrier update and it will update.

currently we have ATT 5.0 on our iPhone and friday they should release 5.1..

thank you! will this add the little camera next to the text imput so i can easily attach the photos?

[Maclver]

thank you! will this add the little camera next to the text imput so i can easily attach the photos?

Yes.....

[GottaLoveApple4]

LOL!!!!!!!!! I was sending MMS's all day yesterday and then for about a 5 hour period, it stopped working. That must have been the outage!!! And I helped...:D:D:D:apple:

[charlituna]

*sigh* I really hope Verizon gets the iPhone. I’ll switch in two seconds. I hate AT&T, really, i do. :mad:

don't hold your breath at least not for it to happen any time soon.

Verizon is CDMA not GSM. It is not cost effective for Apple to go back and reinvent the wheel to make a Verizon iphone.

So until ATT loses their contract (assuming Apple doesn't just offer the iphone up to t-mobile exclusively) Verizon wouldn't be able to handle the phone until they have coverage on the same tech that Apple decides to use, whatever that tech might be.

Same thing for Sprint

[Aldaris]

This is getting better and better! Really At&t... Seems to me you have several phone models and plans that support MMS... I really hope they fail epically in this. Late Summer pushh'... Tethering announcements, maybe in a decade, when you have all switched carriers...

Att, you've ignored the iPhone community, now your gonna do it hour by hour... lets see how many times in one day your network slows to a crawl.

+1 Negative

[3liv82]

I'd never actually use the MMS feature on a regular basis but come Friday I'm going to send tons of them. :D It really is AT&T's fault for not enabling MMS all along and slowly beefing up the network as more and more iPhones signed up.


I agree 100,000,000,000%

[andiwm2003]

if MMS is that a problem what will happen when we get tethering?

Seems mobile networks need some mayor upgrades. good for jobs and the economy.

[zephyr313]

If you've had both... you know Verizon is a much better experience.

I travel a ton, throughout the US and overseas. Verizon works almost everywhere... and I mean EVERYWHERE... whereas AT&T still covers about 10% of the land mass of the US. Yes they have roaming agreements with other GSM-based networks, but where i've had fast data access for years AT&T simply doesn't work. In urban areas, there is coverage, but it's so overloaded it's almost worthless. In rural areas, there's no coverage to begin with... it's all hype.

Verizon offers overseas service by giving you a GSM-capable phone with decent per-minute rates, while AT&T offers you overseas service for an eye-popping $3.49 a minute. No thanks AT&T.

If you happen to live in a suburban area... on the fringe of rural-dom and outside of a densely populated area, AT&T probably works okay for you. Taking a road-trip? You'll fall back to EDGE or no data as soon as you're outside the urban jungle. Verizon? EVDO the whole way.

AT&T has invested tens of millions in improving its infrastructure... and for all we know Verizon would have some of the same problems due to the high demands iPhone users have placed on the network... but it would be interesting to see how the service improved if both carriers were fighting to retain their iPhone-wielding customers...

[Rot'nApple]

Apple is setting them up to fail. Apple is going to need to have multiple carriers offer service. It is becoming to popular for one company to handle all the data

Some partner Apple is turning out to be... You'd think Apple would give technical advice to at&t about setting up a service that will be woefully unprepared and tell at&t how to avoid "the MobieMe" experience! After all, the end user, the customer, is the one who gets screwed! :(

[jbennardo]

if MMS is that a problem what will happen when we get tethering?

They'll charge a premium for it :D

[somberlaine]

maybe ATT is just managing expectations

[RazHyena]

Welcome to AT&Trumors. :rolleyes:

[realgenius]

I suspect this will be a failed launch - already making excuses.

Y, this has "epic fail" written all over it.

[zephyr313]

don't hold your breath at least not for it to happen any time soon.

Verizon is CDMA not GSM. It is not cost effective for Apple to go back and reinvent the wheel to make a Verizon iphone.

So until ATT loses their contract (assuming Apple doesn't just offer the iphone up to t-mobile exclusively) Verizon wouldn't be able to handle the phone until they have coverage on the same tech that Apple decides to use, whatever that tech might be.

Same thing for Sprint

It's actually dead simple... in some cases it's a software change, for others it's swapping out a chipset. It's the same level of complexity as upgrading the camera in the iPhone 3GS...

[tomthmb]

AT&T ...... stands for "A TOTAL TRAGEDY" :confused:

[RyanR.]

"AT&T Nervous About Upcoming iPhone MMS Launch?"

They Should Be...

Ryan

+1 Neg. , +1 for sending as many MMS' as possible Friday then calling AT&T to complain. Might even go to my AT&T store and say, "can you guys call me cuz I don't think my phones working?"

[satcomer]

AT&T has failed from the beginning of this MMS launch from Apple leaving them out of the screen at MacWorld to AT&T missing " by the end of summer". The icing on the cake was the picture AT&T flaunts on it's first MMS page showing a girl holding a first gen iPhone!

AT&T really does equal FAIL!!!!

[BJB Productions]

AT&T ...... stands for "A TOTAL TRAGEDY" :confused:

Haha! yes

[akm3]

*sigh* I really hope Verizon gets the iPhone. I’ll switch in two seconds. I hate AT&T, really, i do. :mad:

Verizon with the iPhone is absolutely going to toast their capacity as well. Actually, if Verizon gets iPhone, it will be the perfect time to signup with AT&T, since the bulk of strain will move to Verizon...AT&T should have smooth sailing at that point.

[MacVixen]

Yea ATT ruined what Cingular was. I loved Cingular. ATT though is the pits.

I remember when Cingular was Pacific Bell Wireless. I loved PacBell Wireless. It was never the same when Cingular bought them. That's when I switched to Verizon where I was happy for 6 years or so. Came to AT&T with the iPhone. The network has not made me happy, but I'm not a huge cell phone user so I can deal. However, I am damn sick of hearing AT&T's excuses again. And the excuse are starting before the MMS rollout... AT&T will need to erect an invisible force field to repel all of the negative publicity they will be getting this weekend :D

[Bradley W]

I actually don't mind AT&T. Are they overpriced, yes. Do I get more dropped calls, sometimes. But, anytime I've called AT&T they've met my expectations and I've had two instances were I messed up on my bill and got a ton of overages, which they greatly reduced or waived. Also, I've traveled in Europe and having my iPhone available to make calls was amazing. I'm sure with all the iPhone uses sending MMS on Friday there will be some problems, but they will get it sorted out and things will go on.

All that being said, I would love it if the iPhone came to Verizon, but I'd stay with AT&T for the time being. I just want more competition and choice, it keeps prices down.

[swingerofbirch]

Seeing all this I'm glad I have waited for the iphone to come to verizon. I don't mind waiting so much anyway. I never really get a hankering for an iphone until right before the new one comes out and then it dissipates. Who knows what aspirations may rise again come this next summer. I guess I figure even if the one that comes out this summer isn't verizon capable the next one the following year will be and it'll be that much better :)

[b1wils1]

its really just sad. in 2002 i began sending picture messages on TMobile with my first gen RAZR.

I can't believe we are having this conversation 7 years later.

Also, in 2002 i paid 5 dollars for unlimited texts, including pictures. I find it funny that my unlimited ATT texting plan is 20/month and I can't send pictures. often times i even have to send the same text again because it didn't go through the first time.

When people start jumping ship to another carrier with the iPhone, I'm almost tempted to stay with ATT because maybe they'll be left with 94 customers throughout the US, and that will be perfect for the amount of data their network can handle.

[charlituna]

What CAN'T AT&T screw up? :eek:

When is Apple going to ditch AT&T and go with Verizon for phone service?

I'm sick of being 10 miles from the AT&T line, thus unable to get an iPhone.

I *really* hope that Apple gets smart and drops the AT&T exclusive deal. AT&T is pretty worthless.



I cannot WAIT until the Apple/AT&T exclusivity agreement is up. AT&T sucks so bad.

waw waw waw ATT, may be ATT should spend some of the large amounts of cash it sucking out of us iPhone users, no sympathy from me, I don't care.


folks talk like none of this would happen on any of the other services. when it fact it very possibly could. same thing for the rate plans etc.


They asked for it. Releasing it on one day isn't really smart

okay so they go for a slow rollout. whoever is on the back end would be having fits major. at least by doing it over the course of one day no one should moan too much. well at least until it crashes

So Apple is incapable of making different iPhone versions that runs on CDMA and GSM while every other manufacturer can?

sure they CAN. they CAN do whatever they want. they CAN make itunes sync to any usb player or phone, they CAN make clones work without hacking, they CAN put blu-ray drives in their machines.

but they don't want to. and they legally don't have to. they could have not had an exclusive contract, they could have both GSM and CDMA etc. but for whatever reason it was deemed not a profitable idea (just like right now clones and blu-ray are not profitable by their standards).

Having set this standard it is highly unlikely that they will go back to the drawing board to make a CDMA phone, especially when, as you noted, Verizon is supposedly ramping up their 4g in the hopes that there will be a tablet, it will have a cell connection and it won't be on the ATT contract. if this is all true and the 4g is the same flavor that Apple is considering moving to it is better for all (and it seems like only Sprint is talking about the other form so it seems a go). why wouldn't Apple focus on LTE which is the future, rather than CDMA which is the past.


Some partner Apple is turning out to be... You'd think Apple would give technical advice to at&t about setting up a service that will be woefully unprepared

Apple is not a cell service, doesn't want to be. that's why they did this deal in the first place.

[BeyondtheTech]

Verizon with the iPhone is absolutely going to toast their capacity as well. Actually, if Verizon gets iPhone, it will be the perfect time to signup with AT&T, since the bulk of strain will move to Verizon...AT&T should have smooth sailing at that point.

Just end the exclusivity. Even if by some strange miracle that Apple releases an EvDO iPhone, not EVERYONE will jump ship to Verizon. If anything, it'll be a decent split and everyone will be happy since the boat isn't leaning on one side anymore, since the bandwidth demand will decrease for AT&T and increase for Verizon.

iPhone users on both sides of the fence will be happy, Verizon will be happy, and for AT&T, well, the exodus will be bittersweet. They'll lose that precious revenue, but then again, we may never need to see Seth the Blogger Guy ever again.

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

Absolutely ridiculous their network can't handle a few pictures and videos from iphones.
I know it sucks for us as iPhone owners, but comments like this are probably leveled out of willful ignorance of the situation. The problem with the iPhone is that we are far more interested in these multimedia activities, such as browsing the web or using something like MMS, than any other type of phone user out there. iPhone users are going to be taking much more photographs and sending much more photographs than any other type of phone user. Now the fact that there are so many iPhone users comes into play, combined with a spike when the feature first becomes available, and AT&T really does have a legitimate hurdle to overcome.

[rteichman]

If you've had both... you know Verizon is a much better experience.

I travel a ton, throughout the US and overseas. Verizon works almost everywhere...

As you say Verizon works overseas by giving you a GSM phone for there. Not a good solution if you use a smartphone and half your data is stuck back on your "home" phone.

Research has shown that iPhone users use the internet to a much greater extent than any other users. Hence Verizon would likely be in the same boat if they had the iPhone exclusively. It's well know that Verizon severely limits the capabilities of phones that it allows on its network. Those limitations protect their bandwidth.

The real issue with AT&T is investment. As someone else said, some manager got a huge bonus for figuring out how to "do more with less". The result is a network that can't really handle the load. That same management mentality is at work at Verizon (if not more so since they are more profitable), they just limited capabilities rather than expose their network. Ever wonder WHY Verizon and Apple did not make a deal. I am willing to bet it was because Verizon wanted to neuter the phone's capabilities.

[azboricua]

I can just see it now, launch delayed till next year. lol!!!!

[NoExpectations]

MMS Text = 1k (Usually 100 bytes or less. Let's round up to 1k for argument's sake.)

MMS Picture = 1mb (Most photos are probably less than 1mb, but again let's round up to 1mb)

MMS Video = 10mb (Let's assume a 60 sec quick clip)


Video is going to kill the network. Apple is actually doing everyone a disservice by releasing an application before the infrastructure is ready.

[tarkeybear]

Then it makes sense that ATT will feel a world of hurt on Friday.

If however the iPhone "dumbs down" the image size for MMS distribution, the files shouldn't be any worse than the cheesy MMS pictures and videos that folks have been sharing for years.
I suspect that Apple in its stubborn demand for quality may send full size images.
If high quality, full-rez images and video will slam the network, I am going to be royally ticked if I can't make a phone call because somebody's video of a dog on a skateboard took down the network.

[Full of Win]

Everyone needs to coordinate routine times to send a lot of message, crash the network, then call ATT (at the same time) to demand money off your bill because of the constant crashes.

[deimos256]

There isn't a facepalm image epic enough for this.............

[thestaton]

I thought a fun thing to do, would be to start a contest to see how fast iPhone users could send 100 million images.

Just have a website where you enter how many images you have sent.

[lazyrighteye]

Well duh!

As has been stated over and over and... AT&T's 3G network is already incapable of handling calls + txt + data. Adding the demands of MMS to the mix will only make service worse.

As predicted, this will be a mess.

I cant imagine Apple being too happy about AT&T's role in all of this. At what point does Apple do something different? And what can they even do?

As the owner of every iteration of iPhone since the original launch, I've grown completely fed up with AT&T. Granted, I didn't have high expectations going in. And the original iPhone kept us hidden from the woe of their 3G network. But once the iPhone 3G went live, AT&T's inadequacies immediately became apparent.

What a mess... :(

[Alfuh]

I have a good idea to not crash the network due to everyone wanting to play with their shiny new toy all at once:

AT&T could have avoided it all by having it enabled since day 1! :mad:

There is no reason to make some of the most forward thinking technology consumers anticipate technology that has been around forever!

[darkframes]

Is AT&T really so bad? I've been happy with O2 here in the UK. When mms first started they sent txts with settings and helpful advice and such.

[ob81]

MMS Text = 1k (Usually 100 bytes or less. Let's round up to 1k for argument's sake.)

MMS Picture = 1mb (Most photos are probably less than 1mb, but again let's round up to 1mb)

MMS Video = 10mb (Let's assume a 60 sec quick clip)


Video is going to kill the network. Apple is actually doing everyone a disservice by releasing an application before the infrastructure is ready.

Isn't Apple's fault. Sprint can handle MMS pretty decent from my experience. If it is Apple's fault, we have to go back to when they picked AT&T in the first place.

[enjoi52]

Oh great...another big fail for AT&T? What is wrong with them? Did they ever plan on rolling out MMS? How could they not be ready for this after 2 years of iPhones? Why do they always blame iPhone and iPhone users for their network issues?

The average iPhone user uses 10 times the amount of data that a regular smartphone user does. No carrier, not even your beloved Verizon, could handle the amount of strain that iPhone users put on AT&T's network. What WILL be interesting to see is if Apple opens the iPhone up to Verizon how long it takes for people to start complaining about Verizon's service.

I am not a proponent of AT&T, but I am sick of everyone's bitching.

[djellison]

How much incompetence does AT&T have to demonstrate before Apple let someone else try?

And while we're at it - ditto here with O2 please.

[Target362]

Is AT&T really so bad? I've been happy with O2 here in the UK. When mms first started they sent txts with settings and helpful advice and such.

Thats what I'm wondering. I wonder how many actully have an iphone, or even ATT service and say its bad? Or is it people tring to fit in and say its bad. If you dont have ATT, or even an iPhone, dont say anything about it.

I do not know. I know some like it and some don't like it, but I have Boost Mobile, so I can't say if ATT service is good or bad

[ghostface147]

People are so quick to attack AT&T for their shortcomings and rightfully so. They were severly underprepared and are still struggling heavily in many markets. However I am very sure that any other carrier would be struggling as well. MMS may have come out earlier for Verizon or Sprint, but since iPhone users are unique on how much data we consume, it's only logical their networks would suffer as well. There is no perfect carrier, but I for one will be happy when the mass exodus leaves AT&T. That only means more bandwidth for me.

[Target362]

I am not a proponent of AT&T, but I am sick of everyone's bitching.

Same here. Like I said I wonder how many that are complaining actually own an iPhone, or even have ATT service.

[bdkennedy1]

They better get their s*** together because I plan on using it ALL THE TIME.

[fuzion11]

Rogers Rules!! lol

[NoExpectations]

How much incompetence does AT&T have to demonstrate before Apple let someone else try?

And while we're at it - ditto here with O2 please.

Remember....this is Apple's decision to pick one carrier...to maximize their kickback (subsidy).

I wonder how accurate (truthful) were Apple's sales projections and BW per iPhone when they signed up AT&T. Since the APP Store wasn't even on anyone's radar, how could any carrier be prepared. It takes YEARS to plan and expand a cell network.

[vand0576]

Must see video for everyone discussing AT&T/Cingular history:

http://www.videosift.com/video/Stephen-Colbert-gives-a-brief-history-of-ATT

[Randman]

AT&T has had at least 3 months since the announcement to get things working. Even longer since they had to know it was coming.

The company has had enough bad pr over its inability to fully support the iPhone. MMS failures is just going to be another nail in the coffin.

[Target362]

People are so quick to attack AT&T for their shortcomings and rightfully so. They were severly underprepared and are still struggling heavily in many markets. However I am very sure that any other carrier would be struggling as well. MMS may have come out earlier for Verizon or Sprint, but since iPhone users are unique on how much data we consume, it's only logical their networks would suffer as well. There is no perfect carrier, but I for one will be happy when the mass exodus leaves AT&T. That only means more bandwidth for me.

and keep in mind it may just be the area your in. May be its time for them to fix the towers in your area or clear some trees that may be over growing around the tower.

Like you said, if the iPhone was on Verizon or sprint it will be the same situation as ATT. Plus remember your sharing the network with thousands of others that have eirther iphones, other smart phones and basic flip and slider phones.

[ziggyonice]

Let's all send an MMS at the same time and see what happens. Maybe we can bring down the entire network.

[mattster16]

The iPhone will be sending higher resolution pictures than other phones through the MMS network. It also will be sending video through the MMS network. Couple that with iPhone users' already exorbitant data usage and any network is going to be strained.

No carrier could even come close to handling the data throughput at&t is having to manage. Verizon could not handle this, they already have to cripple data services on non-iphones to reduce their network strain. Their 3G network is already proven to be slower than at&t's.

The iPhone hasn't been around that long and it's biggest modes of data usage (iTunes downloads over 3G, app downloads over 3G, youtube uploading) have been around for an even shorter time. The iPhone exploded faster than both Apple and AT&T could have predicted. Upgrading hundreds and hundreds of cell sites and nationwide infrastructure takes time. Mobile technology, particularly the iPhone, is advancing so fast it is a race to keep up for the phone companies. Verizon, so far, hasn't had to play this game to the extent at&t has.

[comradesnarky]

I hate AT&T so much. There's no reason for them to not enable MMS on EDGE iPhones. Apple probably wanted them to, but, this is probably why they didn't/couldn't do it. I don't know what the hell I pay them so damn much for a month.

[Cleverboy]

Personally, I think everyone needs to CHILL (picture scene from Say Anything). There is a burden to having the most consumer friendly device on the planet... people tend to use features FAR more often than they did if you give the SAME features to lesser devices (aka "feature phones"). I've never sent MMS messages (or cared to look into it), because I'd always had it confirmed that there was a veritable HORROR-SHOW of fees for those who did (without an unlimited data plan attached to your account).

With the iPhone being inseparable from its unlimited data plan, AT&T has potentially shot themselves in the foot regarding the amount of image/video texting people will inevitably do... but furthered the goal of moving mobile services where they NEED to go.

I think AT&T has taken a bold step, needs to be done right, and we'll see how well it pays off for them. I'll say this much though... people without data plans will quickly see how well their carrier handles unsolicited MMS messages from friends and family. One video, without a text plan, could cost someone in the neighborhood of $10 easily.

~ CB

[mattster16]

AT&T has had at least 3 months since the announcement to get things working. Even longer since they had to know it was coming.

The company has had enough bad pr over its inability to fully support the iPhone. MMS failures is just going to be another nail in the coffin.

You clearly have NO concept of the time it takes to plan, coordinate, and implement infrastructure upgrades/changes. 3 months is NOTHING, hell a year isn't even that long when you are talking about such projects.

[RyanR.]

Thats what I'm wondering. I wonder how many actully have an iphone, or even ATT service and say its bad? Or is it people tring to fit in and say its bad. If you dont have ATT, or even an iPhone, dont say anything about it.

I do not know. I know some like it and some don't like it, but I have Boost Mobile, so I can't say if ATT service is good or bad

Well, I have 2 iPhones. Mine and my wives. I would have to say that 2 years ago AT&T really sucked. They have gotten better, but I am just now able to get a bar(maybe 2) in my house or outside. AT&T is less than a mile away where I get 5 Bars. I own a service company and do drop a lot of calls, but maybe its just where I go on the highways and such. "less bars in my places"

[mattster16]

I hate AT&T so much. There's no reason for them to not enable MMS on EDGE iPhones. Apple probably wanted them to, but, this is probably why they didn't/couldn't do it. I don't know what the hell I pay them so damn much for a month.

I doubt Apple wanted them to. Knowing how Apple operates they probably DIDN'T want MMS on the original iPhone in order to entice people to upgrade.

[rhomsy]

I think we should all withhold our criticism until we hear from Seth the Blogger guy. I'm sure Seth will take some time away from his busy blogging schedule, to provide us all with a perfectly acceptable reason why we don't get the services for which we pay.

Seth? Seth? Seth?

[chr1s60]

I can already see the first outage. This why AT&T should have rolled out MMS over a week or two. The network will be hit hard at first because everyone wants to try it out. If they had just released it to a new part of the country each day over the course of a week or two they could have escaped this. The bulk of the first day messages will be people sending pics for no reason. Once users get over that initial use, the numbers will drop.

[psingh01]

Maybe AT&T should pay Apple to break their exclusivity deal. This way other service providers can alleviate their problem by taking some of the iPhone customers onto their networks....:rolleyes:

[nagromme]

Related or not, my iPhone lost ALL cell coverage for half an hour, at home where I normally get full 3G bars. I've never failed to get a signal before.

[satcomer]

Let's all send an MMS at the same time and see what happens. Maybe we can bring down the entire network.

I'm game. What Time in GMT so everyone can participate?

[rawknee]

I'm not the most techie guy in the world, but what I don't get is this: iPhone users use WAY more data on the AT&T networks than any other phone... with the full HTML web browsing, Apps, uploading videos to YouTube, push email etc. Why is adding MMS such a big deal for the servers? Does the MMS load run on a different pipeline than the Data? You'd think they would be prepared by now with the loads of data iPhone users are already using.

Maybe I'm missing something...

I'm probably not going to use it too often... Most of my friends have iPhones too, so we just email back and forth...it's simple enough.

[mattster16]

I can already see the first outage. This why AT&T should have rolled out MMS over a week or two. The network will be hit hard at first because everyone wants to try it out. If they had just released it to a new part of the country each day over the course of a week or two they could have escaped this. The bulk of the first day messages will be people sending pics for no reason. Once users get over that initial use, the numbers will drop.

Yeah..and then everyone on here would be crying and throwing tantrums about other people getting a service they don't get yet. :rolleyes:

[ProwlingTiger]

Gee, I wonder if maybe they should have had MMS enabled from the beginning. Then it would have been a steady increase.

Also, I'm failing to understand how MMS on the iPhone is any different from MMS on a normal phone. What if the iPhone had never came to be and there were millions of normal phones with MMS enabled?

[AlphaBob]

<sarcasm>I can hardly wait for AT&T's already wonderful service level to get even better when MMS is activated. </sarcasm> Now if people would stop Sexting then maybe there would be enough bandwidth left to place a phone call. :D

I think this just points out how carefully balanced the network was by pure accident. It worked only because it did, not because it was designed to have any spare capacity.

Can you imagine the hoops some poor network traffic analyst has to jump through to get corporate approval to install additional bandwidth at location X,Y? It has to be horrible. Glad I don't work for them.

[arkhanjel]

AT&T's MMS launch doesn't go as planned equals...

AT&T being known as the new definition for epic fail.

[chr1s60]

Yeah..and then everyone on here would be crying and throwing tantrums about other people getting a service they don't get yet. :rolleyes:

Of course, but probably no more crying than we will see when nobody has MMS during the first outage.

[scottnj1966]

It's so frustrating to see ATT doing all this at the last minute when they have overcharged iphone users ever since it was rolled out.
Some of that extra cash they got from us should have upgraded the systems. They decided not to do everything before and now they are crying.

I'm sorry why the heck have we been charged twenty dollars a month for only text, when any other att customer with another phone gets txt and sms for the same price. That extra ten a month from millions of customers would have paid for any upgrades they needed.

If they cannot or will not do what is needed break the exclusive contract and let the others get it a try. At the very least it will split iphone users in three.

I love the phone, I never liked ATT. I actually was never an ATT customer, they bought everything and made me one.

Scott

[bushido]

europe can handle live tv streams on the iPhone over the net yet the US cant even handle mms

welcome to the year 2002 AT&T!

[comradesnarky]

I doubt Apple wanted them to. Knowing how Apple operates they probably DIDN'T want MMS on the original iPhone in order to entice people to upgrade.

I highly doubt that. Apple has really been VERY accommodating to PPC users since the switch. Yes, Snow Leopard did cut a lot of PPC users out of the loop as far as having the latest OS goes, but, so far they've continued to support PPC versions of applications, and utilize UBs with their programs. Besides that Snow Leopard really is a mostly under the hood update. The only thing I've really noticed and missed between using Snow Leopard on my MacBook and Leopard on my PowerMac G4 is the put back from trash button Apple stupidly ignored for so long. I think the ball is in AT&T's court on this one, since they apparently can't even handle the 3G users alone.

[Macjames]

Wow, I'm glad i have never had any O2 issues. MMS from day one, no problems.

[skellener]

AT&T Nervous About Upcoming iPhone MMS Launch? People are sending pictures over the network now with email on smartphones. Bits are bits. What's the big deal? I'm really tired of hearing about AT&T's problems. They force you to buy a data plan with a smartphone, and then they complain that their network is overloaded. WTF??

[scottnj1966]

People are so quick to attack AT&T for their shortcomings and rightfully so. They were severly underprepared and are still struggling heavily in many markets. However I am very sure that any other carrier would be struggling as well. MMS may have come out earlier for Verizon or Sprint, but since iPhone users are unique on how much data we consume, it's only logical their networks would suffer as well. There is no perfect carrier, but I for one will be happy when the mass exodus leaves AT&T. That only means more bandwidth for me.

I think you are absolutely correct. All three would have had the same issues.
None were willing to put enough into the infrustruture to keep everythign running smooth.
I think they should remove the exclusive rights and let all the users move back to eachs original providor. That will lesson the load with att and the other two companys will just get there original customers back.

Then maybe they all can start upgrading there systems at the same time.

[hms84]

You poor Americans... Not even MMS???
I really don't understand why those Telecom companies hasn't been sued yet!! :confused::confused::confused::confused:
And I've been saying STC is very bad :p:p

[reckless2k2]

The iPhone will be sending higher resolution pictures than other phones through the MMS network. It also will be sending video through the MMS network. Couple that with iPhone users' already exorbitant data usage and any network is going to be strained.

No carrier could even come close to handling the data throughput at&t is having to manage. Verizon could not handle this, they already have to cripple data services on non-iphones to reduce their network strain. Their 3G network is already proven to be slower than at&t's.

The iPhone hasn't been around that long and it's biggest modes of data usage (iTunes downloads over 3G, app downloads over 3G, youtube uploading) have been around for an even shorter time. The iPhone exploded faster than both Apple and AT&T could have predicted. Upgrading hundreds and hundreds of cell sites and nationwide infrastructure takes time. Mobile technology, particularly the iPhone, is advancing so fast it is a race to keep up for the phone companies. Verizon, so far, hasn't had to play this game to the extent at&t has.

Thank you for answering my question as to why MMS is such a big deal on the iPhone. Every other phone on their service can send MMS and all other similar devices on their network can do things like Slingplayer.

I guess I'm wondering if we would all have this problem if we all had the HTC Fuze, LG Incite, or Samsung Jack in our hands. I know all the messaging phones don't have MMS problems. I mean their are countless phones on their network that if we had in our hands wouldn't be giving us problems. I know where you are going with the higher res pics but it can't be that simple or the question is if there is a work around to send lower res. I don't know.

[rtdunham]

Absolutely ridiculous their network can't handle a few pictures and videos from iphones.

yeah, sticking to the facts like that will advance the discussion.

[scottnj1966]

People are sending pictures over the network now with email on smartphones. Bits are bits. What's the big deal? I'm really tired of hearing about AT&T's problems. They force you to buy a data plan with a smartphone, and then they complain that their network is overloaded. WTF??

I think there network will be fine after the newness of a new feature wears off. I have been using the mms and it is great to finally receive a picture without going into email but I am sure it will not be used all the time like text.


ATT is all for the profit margin. They wont do anything to jepordize it.
I dont know if it is because they were almost out of existence and do not want that to happen again or they are just plain greedy.


It's just sad that even areas in africa had mms for the iphone before us.
ATT made us (USA) look like a laughing stock to the rest of the world.

[scottnj1966]

You poor Americans... Not even MMS???
I really don't understand why those Telecom companies hasn't been sued yet!! :confused::confused::confused::confused:
And I've been saying STC is very bad :p:p

We have had mms for years, ATT just locked that feature out on the iphone because there network is not very stable.

I am using is now and it works fine. I system works much better then a cheap 30 dollar phone that had mms.

What is STC?

[scottnj1966]

europe can handle live tv streams on the iPhone over the net yet the US cant even handle mms

welcome to the year 2002 AT&T!

ATT cant handle it, not the USA.
ATT got exclusive rights, actually cingular did, but unfortunately ATT bought them and they never had a good network. They still have not figured out how to seemlessly merge all the cell companies hardware together.

They are over there head. It will get better, but they are moving to slow.

[portishead]

I just tried, and my MMS is working. It didn't work yesterday, so they must have just activated it.

[mattster16]

ATT is all for the profit margin. They wont do anything to jepordize it.
I dont know if it is because they were almost out of existence and do not want that to happen again or they are just plain greedy.



What company would intentionally do something to jeopardize it!? Pretty sure neither of the reasons you gave for this adherence to maintaining a profit margin is valid. Here is why they do it: It's a publicly traded company that is held accountable by shareholders. Period.

[guzhogi]

You poor Americans... Not even MMS???
I really don't understand why those Telecom companies hasn't been sued yet!! :confused::confused::confused::confused:
And I've been saying STC is very bad :p:p

europe can handle live tv streams on the iPhone over the net yet the US cant even handle mms

welcome to the year 2002 AT&T!

I think there network will be fine after the newness of a new feature wears off. I have been using the mms and it is great to finally receive a picture without going into email but I am sure it will not be used all the time like text.


ATT is all for the profit margin. They wont do anything to jepordize it.
I dont know if it is because they were almost out of existence and do not want that to happen again or they are just plain greedy.


It's just sad that even areas in africa had mms for the iphone before us.
ATT made us (USA) look like a laughing stock to the rest of the world.

I agree. I find that so many people in the US now are so lazy, so comfortable resting on our laurels & just "what's in it for me?" capitalists, other countries are passing the US by in terms of technology. I frequently read on these boards how other countries already have MMS on their iPhones, and how so many people have fiber optic internet connections throughout their country, but in the US, nothing. The big tech companies like AT&T are too apathetic to upgrade their services thinking "upgrading our services will be too expensive & we won't get anything back." Well, if they make their services comparable to other countries', they'll probably get a lot more customers!

[blackpond]

...They should charge an extra $3.00 a month for the service and people who really want it would sign up and pay. People who don't need it or use it often could go pay per use.

Even better, they should reduce our monthly bill by $3 unless we want MMS.

[MorphingDragon]

*sigh* I really hope Verizon gets the iPhone. I’ll switch in two seconds. I hate AT&T, really, i do. :mad:

OMG some people are thick. The iPhone is a GSM phone. Not CDMA

[MorphingDragon]

I agree. I find that so many people in the US now are so lazy, so comfortable resting on our laurels & just "what's in it for me?" capitalists, other countries are passing the US by in terms of technology. I frequently read on these boards how other countries already have MMS on their iPhones, and how so many people have fiber optic internet connections throughout their country, but in the US, nothing. The big tech companies like AT&T are too apathetic to upgrade their services thinking "upgrading our services will be too expensive & we won't get anything back." Well, if they make their services comparable to other countries', they'll probably get a lot more customers!

I believe the iPhone in Australia is on 3 companies. You can buy unlocked ones here in New Zealand. We can get internet anywhere. (We have our own satellite up in orbit, 2MBS if we really want) We can completely ignore the mess that is telecom if we really wanted too.

Good ol USA huh?

[diamond.g]

ATT cant handle it, not the USA.
ATT got exclusive rights, actually cingular did, but unfortunately ATT bought them and they never had a good network. They still have not figured out how to seemlessly merge all the cell companies hardware together.

They are over there head. It will get better, but they are moving to slow.

Actually Cingular bought AT&T Wireless. Then SBC (who owned Cingular) bought out AT&T and changed Cingulars name to at&t.

[cantthinkofone]

I know it sucks for us as iPhone owners, but comments like this are probably leveled out of willful ignorance of the situation. The problem with the iPhone is that we are far more interested in these multimedia activities, such as browsing the web or using something like MMS, than any other type of phone user out there. iPhone users are going to be taking much more photographs and sending much more photographs than any other type of phone user. Now the fact that there are so many iPhone users comes into play, combined with a spike when the feature first becomes available, and AT&T really does have a legitimate hurdle to overcome.

So their network can handle people watching youtube, and browsing the internet but can't handle a text with a picture or video? There are way fewer iphones out there than regular phones. They send pictures and video all day long. ATT has dragged their a$$es with the iphone since day one. It will not surprise me with they end up like IBM and learn that they will no longer have apple's business at a apple presentation.

[sschwar4]

if I remember right, MMS is like SMS. They don't use the data side of the network. You can disable a phone from using the internet and MMS and SMS will still work.

I know this because my daughter wanted to text and use an old Blackjack, removed the data information and MMS and SMS still worked without the cost of the data network.

The voice side of the network is STILL AT&T weakest link.

[opuslab]

Actually Cingular bought AT&T Wireless. Then SBC (who owned Cingular) bought out AT&T and changed Cingulars name to at&t.

That's right. Since I got my AT&T Wireless phone in 2004, the logo on the statement changed twice, first to Cingular with a slogan "AT&T Wireless is now Cingular", and then back to AT&T with a slogan "Cingular is now the new AT&T" :)

[JForestZ34]

I don't think AT&T is saying they won't be able to handle the regular MMS traffic, but the massive influx of traffic caused by iPhone users trying out MMS. It's highly likely that even those who have no plans to use MMS in the future are going to at least try it out tomorrow, overloading the servers. This would happen with any carrier. Also, remember the release of the iPhone 3G and 2.0. Apple had big problems with their servers because of the increased traffic. The same thing is going to happen to AT&T's servers tomorrow, possibly on a much larger scale.

I'm not a fan of AT&T either, but it's unfair to say that any issue is because of their incompetence and that Verizon/Sprint/T-Mobile or whatever wouldn't be faced with a similar situation if one of them were the exclusive carrier instead.


I blame apple as well. AT&T should have had this from the get go that way they don't have to worry about all the iPhone users using it all at once. If they had it already this wouldn't be a problem.


James

[LAS.mac]

I really do not understand how if this possible: AT&T unable to work out a decent network in US! That's not Iraq, for God's sake!
I was videoconferencing on a phone in Italy, in 2005, when my wife was in a hospital. Come on!

And I can't understand, neither, how Apple can stitch with them...is not an overall better carrier in US?

[IBradMac]

I don't like to hear the words "rushing around" anywhere near the same article as "We are delaying it til the end of summer, Oh, wait better give us three more days". Total bs.

Absolutely pathetic.

I think I hear footsteps; yes, it's VERIZON looking over AT&T's shoulder and laughing....:D

Verizon had their chance.

[prominence]

Funny, I have trouble getting it to work in downtown Boston. If you're in a location with a lot of people, like South Station or Tech Square, you have problems. Phone calls may work, but all your data requests time out. I can only assume it's a capacity issue that they don't feel like addressing...

I know EXACTLY how you feel... I was at a theme park for all day Saturday a few weeks ago, theme park was only half full (and in the middle of no where in Ohio)... and the data network didn't work for 6 HOURS. At the end of the day, when it was getting dark, it started working again. BS AT&T!

[hms84]

We have had mms for years, ATT just locked that feature out on the iphone because there network is not very stable.

I am using is now and it works fine. I system works much better then a cheap 30 dollar phone that had mms.

What is STC?

Saudi Telecom

http://www.stc.com.sa/

[Fastshutter]

AT&T should be nervous. I plan on sending a years worth of MMS on Friday to catch up for all the time I've lost. I get what I pay for, one way or another! :D

[skellener]

I refuse to give AT&T any more money. I don't text, I use IM. I don't MMS, I use email for photos. Benefits of having a smartphone in the first place.

[gmanist1000]

*sigh* I really hope Verizon gets the iPhone. I’ll switch in two seconds. I hate AT&T, really, i do. :mad:

Me too.

[ouimetnick]

I hate AT&T so much. There's no reason for them to not enable MMS on EDGE iPhones. Apple probably wanted them to, but, this is probably why they didn't/couldn't do it. I don't know what the hell I pay them so damn much for a month.

The Original iPhone can do MMS. Apple said the hardware can't support it so people would run out and by the new iPhone 3G/3GS! AT&T had nothing to do with the lack of MMS on the Original iPhone.

[Compile 'em all]

I already have MMS, so for me it'd over already.



Per phone, so imagine 22 million pixeled images at the same time. Analogy time: This is like complaining a Rain Gutter overflows with a rain drop. Obvious it won't, but add a few more rain drops, see what happens.

Do you know how many people in china and japan use data services on a daily basis?

AT&T are pathetic.

[Mr. Gates]

If AT&T F's this up I will swear them off for life. :)

[/dev/toaster]

I think people fail to realize that ending the AT&T exclusive _would_ make the overall iPhone experience better. Here is why.

Right now, everyone in the US (well, except for unlockers) is using AT&T. They are a clear bottle neck that can't handle the current load of iPhone users. Lets say T-Mobile were to get the iPhone. They couldn't handle it exclusively, they would crumble even faster then AT&T did. BUT, many people would leave AT&T to go for T-Mobile. Reducing the strain on the AT&T network and distributing the load across multiple carriers.

Each area has a different dominate carrier. In the Bay Area AT&T is presently doing awful. I am not totally sure who would be better, but with an option to switch I sure as hell would try to find a better carrier. If my next choice sucks, I will just switch again until I find a fit.

Will Verizon get the iPhone ? Sure, only a question of time. Will they get it before they switch their network to 4G ? Very doubtful. Adding CDMA into the iPhone isn't a quick and easy task. Its not a software update, it would REQUIRE a hardware change. Its something that is just not worth Apples time. Adding a separate network for a small handful of customers adds to development time and QA time. I say small handful because on the global scale Verizon is the only company they would offer a CDMA phone to. CDMA is on its way out the door. Regardless if it maybe or may not be better, the rest of the world is using GSM and Verizon is going to conform.

[newyorksole]

lmao ok so first AT&T says we won't get MMS until late summer. they have had PLENTY of time to boost there network.

it turns out that they need an extra 3 DAYS after the summer is over to release MMS.

NOW they say they won't be prepared for the overload still?

WTF. use that damn money we are giving you to boost up the damn network to handle it. AT&T is hilarious....

[diamond.g]

I think people fail to realize that ending the AT&T exclusive _would_ make the overall iPhone experience better. Here is why.

Right now, everyone in the US (well, except for unlockers) is using AT&T. They are a clear bottle neck that can't handle the current load of iPhone users. Lets say T-Mobile were to get the iPhone. They couldn't handle it exclusively, they would crumble even faster then AT&T did. BUT, many people would leave AT&T to go for T-Mobile. Reducing the strain on the AT&T network and distributing the load across multiple carriers.

Each area has a different dominate carrier. In the Bay Area AT&T is presently doing awful. I am not totally sure who would be better, but with an option to switch I sure as hell would try to find a better carrier. If my next choice sucks, I will just switch again until I find a fit.

Will Verizon get the iPhone ? Sure, only a question of time. Will they get it before they switch their network to 4G ? Very doubtful. Adding CDMA into the iPhone isn't a quick and easy task. Its not a software update, it would REQUIRE a hardware change. Its something that is just not worth Apples time. Adding a separate network for a small handful of customers adds to development time and QA time. I say small handful because on the global scale Verizon is the only company they would offer a CDMA phone to. CDMA is on its way out the door. Regardless if it maybe or may not be better, the rest of the world is using GSM and Verizon is going to conform.
The problem, as kdarling has pointed out many times, is Verizon has claimed they aren't going to do voice over LTE for a while (think I remember seeing 2014 somewhere). So this LTE iPhone may not be able to make traditional phone calls.

[Mr. Giver '94]

Stupid that their network can't handle it.

I don't want a Verizon iPhone, but this is unacceptable.

[/dev/toaster]

The problem, as kdarling has pointed out many times, is Verizon has claimed they aren't going to do voice over LTE for a while (think I remember seeing 2014 somewhere). So this LTE iPhone may not be able to make traditional phone calls.

Ya, so even more reason I seriously doubt you will see the iPhone on Verizon for a pretty long time. That is, unless Verizon pays Apple a crap load of money to create it for them.

Its just not worth it for Apple. If other carriers in the US got the iPhone and Verizon still didn't have it, maybe it would lite a fire under their asses to get the network switched over quicker.

[Dustman]

Hahahaha. This is going to be a disaster.

[AppleMojo]

I love how everyone here appears to be an expert in mobile telecommunications companies and has vast amounts of experience in rolling out massive public services.

Rather than crying here, try sending in your resume...

[i.mac]

I love how everyone here appears to be an expert in mobile telecommunications companies and has vast amounts of experience in rolling out massive public services.

Rather than crying here, try sending in your resume...

You must be a genious... or an engineer?

First comment that makes sense in a very long time...

Also since so many in here know about wireless net, they should get a company going to do things perfectly...

[bruinsrme]

Are there any independent reports evaluating ATT's network and whether or not their cries about bandwidth issues are legite?

[brianFL]

The title says it all. M&A's don't always equal superior service.

[Chimpy]

They are seeing strain just from their internal testing?! That can't bode well...

[satcomer]

They are seeing strain just from their internal testing?! That can't bode well...

That is the thing that convinces me that is is going to be a disaster. I sure hope the TV news picks the AT&T failure to show the American public that AT&T's network really does suck.

[soLoredd]

What really irritates me is those of us who don't give a rats ass about MMS and are fine with email are also going to be affected.

[TheSpaz]

What really irritates me is those of us who don't give a rats ass about MMS and are fine with email are also going to be affected.

Email doesn't go through the same "tubes" as MMS.

[MacTheSpoon]

Oh man, this is going to be so ugly... :( Why does AT&T have to suck so damn bad? They should divert some money from their executives' bloated salaries to beef up their damn network.

[acurafan]

AT$T is charging me well over $100/month for my iphone, yet they can't support basic services...haha. while i could care less about texting and mms, i find it hilarious AT$T do not have infrastructure to support this.

[ux4all]

Wow, this is going to be interesting on Friday.

This will all end in tears. --Marvin from HHG

For some reason I feel that this is a self fulfilling prophecy. The more an issue is talked about, the more people will want to test it.

I am nervous that my REGULAR service will be impacted by this change. Is this pipe in a silo or could you actually see an overall network spike on Friday? (I can't see it being prolonged IMO)

[mikes70mustang]

email makes more sense.[/QUOTE]

not if the other person doesnt have a smart phone, or have internet on their phone.

[MichealWeston]

Wow I'm tired of hearing about this Verizon crap because it's just annoying my friends say it and my family. Lets talk a little about networks to inform the unknowing crowd. Verizon's network has absolutely no backwards compatibility. What does this mean? Well from first hand experience if you drop outside of 3G you lose anything and everything you have been doing. Verizon has no transition from one technology to another. You think LTE is going to save them HA. All it means is that it is one more network to fall off of. For example lets say your streaming o I don't know youtube and you drop to 3G currently they have absolutely no way of you losing your feed because Verizon spends absolutely no money on this factor. Yes they released 3G first but I had their 3g and it was absolutely horrible. It was slow by my standards and whenever I was on a call randomly it would drop cause I would lose 3g signal
and have to redial the person I was calling. There is a reason not to jump on another generation of towers before the previous ones are substantial enough to handle the load. I like the fact that with AT&T I don't lose what I am doing because I lose 3g and believe me when I say I have faith AT&T will do the same with their 4g towers. Now to move onto the MMS thing I think AT&T is probably going to have serious network problems for maybe the first 3 days because lets face it obviously the pictures on the phones are slightly better quality than those taken and lets say a standard phone. I am disappointed that At&T hordes money before investing in say more MMS capabilities but Verizon is not all high and mighty and Verizon really is still currently using ancient technology. I think Verizon was right not to say yes to the Iphone the first time because A. Verizon likes control over the software on the phone which would absolutely destroy the current iphone experience. B. All of Verizon's network claims have all been done by internal studies WOW wooptidoo Basil. C. Who wants to go with old technology that doesn't even have a fall back if something happens and you lose coverage, not to mention that AT&T at least has agreements with other companies to use their towers and take their phones worldwide....Verizon's phones only have maybe 4-5 phones that can go to european countries WOW...not...not impressed...and ends my rant....Make fun of this all you want :D I really don't see Verizon having as much success with the Iphone as AT&T has already had.

[ItsGavinC]

I think I hear footsteps; yes, it's VERIZON looking over AT&T's shoulder and laughing....:D

Let them laugh. Verizon couldn't handle that increase either. A 40% increase in traffic in one day? That's insane.

(BTW, I strongly dislike AT&T, and they obviously can't plan worth squat, but to think anybody else could handle this better is laughable. Too many iPhones in the wild).

[aristobrat]

They should divert some money from their executives' bloated salaries to beef up their damn network.
Do you really think money is the issue?

They threw $38 BILLION to beef up the network in 2007 and 2008.

This year, they're throwing $17-$18 BILLION at it.

The wireless CEO makes $6.1M in total compensation. I don't see the network getting any better if you added all of the executives compensation to the pile of money they're throwing at the network.

If it makes you feel any better, AT&T did suspend all raises for managers and higher, and the uber-all CEO won't be accepting his bonus this year.

[QCassidy352]

Ugh. Don't release it until the network can handle it. MMS is SO not worth brining the network to its knees.

[LanPhantom]

I think you speak the words that a lot of people would speak if it was possible.

Maybe someday soon our wishes will come true.

LanPhantom

*sigh* I really hope Verizon gets the iPhone. I’ll switch in two seconds. I hate AT&T, really, i do. :mad:

[bmb012]

I was trying to figure out how this would make a dent on AT&T's network, with most iPhone users loading up web pages that have many more images on each constantly, but could this have anything to do with AT&T's atrocious upload speed?

Could it be a possibility that they could easily handle the download, but their upload network is even worse?

[postskiff]

1. I've been an AT&T customer for a last 14 months, and until last thursday never had any big problems with a service.
2. For a last 7 days I've been struggling with: VOICE BREAKAGE (VERY POOR VOICE QUALITY, BREAKING EACH WORD IN MY CONVERSATION, NOBODY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND A WORD)
3. MISSING PHONE CALLS - MY PHONE IS SAYING THAT IT'S TEMPORARY OUT OF SERVICE
4. LOT'S OF VOICE MAIL THAT CAME AFTER 2-3 DAYS
5. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE (TRYING TO PLAY WITH ME BY SAYING THAT IT'S VERIZON IS TRYING TO PORT MY NUMBER BACK: WHAT A JOKE???!!)
6. I went to the Apple store & they swap the iPhone for me - didn't help
7. AT&T said I had to change the sim card - didn't help
8. AT&T said that I had to reset my network settings - didn't help (I reset already 10 times)
9. AT&T said that my iPhone 3.1 is giving this problem, I put my sim to the Blackberry BOLD - didn't help
10. FUNNY PART: when I went to the APPLE Store in Palisades, New York - the Apple Employees were complaining about they voice problem, I think more than I do. They tested their iPhones by calling from their store number to theirs iPhones and had the same VOICE BREAKAGE PROBLEM as well as I do.

WORST PART IS I SPENT SO MUCH MONEY FOR THE APPLE APPLICATIONS AND I HAVE A 5 LINES WITH AT&T, SO TO CANCLE MY SERVICE WILL COST ME MORE THAT JUST $900, SO FOR NOW I WENT TO THE SPRINT STORE AND BOUGHT A PALM PRE FOR A NEXT 30 DAYS, SO IF AFTER THAT PERIOD AT&T WILL NOT GONNA FIX THEIR NETWORK - I WILL GONNA MAKE A COMPLAIN TO THE FCC AND WILL GONNA HIRE THE ATTORNEY, BECAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I MISSED SO MUCH IMPORTANT BUSINESS PHONE CALLS THESE DAYS, SO THE $900 IS NOT EVEN CLOSE THAT I LOST!

[iphones4evry1]

Y2K deja vu? AT&T style this time.

[djchuckc27]

gosh i can't wait. it's either gonna be very good or very bad. if it's good, then i get to send crazy pictures and videos on my day off friday!! if it's bad, then my good 'ol blackberry friends will go down with iphones/network crash too! ...i guess that's a good thing! :D

GO IPHONE!

[Target362]

Y2K deja vu? AT&T style this time.

Were you even around when the Y2K buzz was here? Do you even know what Y2k was? Just an FYI, it never happend. huge panic for nothing (back in 1999 it was a huge deal)

[danjferguson]

All you people who keep saying stuff like "I'm going to send messages to help shut down their network" would be violating the terms and conditions for your service. Stop complaining and at least be grateful we are getting it. I am tired of VzW users rubbing it in my face.

[sysiphus]

All you people who keep saying stuff like "I'm going to send messages to help shut down their network" would be violating the terms and conditions for your service. Stop complaining and at least be grateful we are getting it. I am tired of VzW users rubbing it in my face.

That's nice, but the customers pay for the network, not the other way around...

As for terms/conditions of the service, a deliberate malicious effort to break the network would be against the TOS, sure. At the same time, an overload from people exercising a service that they're paying for might just be the kick in the keister needed for ATT to upgrade their network to acceptable standards.

[danjferguson]

Carriers always have a clause stating they have the right to make changes to service without having consent only notification (this also can get you out of your contracts since the contract you signed up for has changed--so go to VzW or Sprint's horrible phones and service if you want), and since their texting plan does not guarantee MMS capability, you technically aren't paying for a guaranteed service.

[phineas]

I think I hear footsteps; yes, it's VERIZON looking over AT&T's shoulder and laughing....:D

Definetly, "VERIZON" needs and will come online to GSM in 2010 and when the iPhone hits with Verizon the sales are going to be up there.

AT&T cant handle this MMS off the bat there's going to be excuse's out the butt.

And according to Yahoo Financial's "Sprint/Nextel" is filing bankruptcy with there "NOW NETWORK" and so far from 4G its not even worth talking about............

[kdarling]

Verizon has no transition from one technology to another. You think LTE is going to save them HA. All it means is that it is one more network to fall off of.

If it makes you feel any better, Verizon has already demonstrated failover from LTE to EVDO and vice versa.

I think Verizon was right not to say yes to the Iphone the first time because A. Verizon likes control over the software on the phone which would absolutely destroy the current iphone experience.

As anyone who has one knows, Verizon doesn't change smartphone software. It's only the dumbphones that have the same basic UI, so users can switch phones and not have to relearn everything.

Definetly, "VERIZON" needs and will come online to GSM in 2010 and when the iPhone hits with Verizon the sales are going to be up there.

Verizon's not going GSM. They're adding LTE, just like ATT will.

[electroshock]

Definetly, "VERIZON" needs and will come online to GSM in 2010 and when the iPhone hits with Verizon the sales are going to be up there.

That'd be great -- gives AT&T even more incentive to improve their network even further given real competition. For VZN/iPhone in 2010 to be a reality, three things would have to happen:

1. New iPhones rolled out with LTE (4G) support -- I don't think any of the existing iPhones has a LTE chipset
2. Apple drops carrier exclusivity in the U.S.
3. Verizon rolls out LTE (rumors of it being sometime around 2Q 2010)

The one thing I just really want is AT&T to drop their refusal to allow for unlocking the iPhone once you've fulfilled a contract (2 years, etc...), but no sign of that being on their horizon anytime soon. Alas.

Well, will be interesting to see how today goes. I know MMS works well, having kicked the tires with the 5.1/5.2 IPCC files. :D

[jbennardo]

If you think about it, it's kind of comical. A bunch of people sitting in a room trying to figure out the best way to break it to the customers.

Where do they come up with all this 'LATE' crap? Late summer, late morning? I can understand the summer one a bit - they needed a few months to get ready. But late morning? It's either ready or it's not :D

[phineas]

If it makes you feel any better, Verizon has already demonstrated failover from LTE to EVDO and vice versa.



As anyone who has one knows, Verizon doesn't change smartphone software. It's only the dumbphones that have the same basic UI, so users can switch phones and not have to relearn everything.



Verizon's not going GSM. They're adding LTE, just like ATT will.

LTE GSM same thing, LTE/GSM is already being used in the verizon market in test now

Verizon doesnt change there smart phones? Hmmmm in Blackberry a smartphone? I believe so, and does VZW cripple features on the BB? Oh yea they do.

[El indio]

Was wondering, for those that are J/B with the itunes carrier update for the mms should we update it or will it remove the j/b or freeze are phones?

[kingtj]

1. There are two different standards in play for cellular service in the US. The GSM standard (which happens to be the one generally adopted in the rest of the world) is what AT&T and T-Mobile use. Nobody else in the US really uses it. Instead, companies like Verizon, US Cellular and Sprint are all on the CDMA standard instead. GSM signals are weaker and have more problems penetrating buildings, so that automatically gives CDMA carriers perceived "better service", without them spending a dime of extra money on infrastructure improvements.

2. We *all* know AT&T sucks, but it's also very likely true that ANYONE who agreed to an exclusive iPhone deal like AT&T did would suffer the same fate. Since the iPhone offered a better web browsing experience, a big screen compared to most other phones, longer battery life than most (allowing more Internet usage without worrying about running down the battery) and ability to download music and applications straight to the phone from over the air - it all adds up to it being a big "data hog" on the network. It's quite likely that at first, AT&T had no idea what to expect as far as all this usage it generated. (Remember, it was no "sure thing" the iPhone would even be very successful at that time.... and companies like Microsoft were predicting it'd be dead in a year.) They didn't even HAVE the app store ready yet at launch, either. Now that AT&T knows what the situation is, they've still only had maybe 2 years or so to build out the infrastructure to handle it. Meanwhile, iPhones are advancing too, with the 3GS series able to download at twice the speed of previous models!


Wow I'm tired of hearing about this Verizon crap because it's just annoying my friends say it and my family. Lets talk a little about networks to inform the unknowing crowd. Verizon's network has absolutely no backwards compatibility. What does this mean? Well from first hand experience if you drop outside of 3G you lose anything and everything you have been doing. Verizon has no transition from one technology to another. You think LTE is going to save them HA. All it means is that it is one more network to fall off of. For example lets say your streaming o I don't know youtube and you drop to 3G currently they have absolutely no way of you losing your feed because Verizon spends absolutely no money on this factor. Yes they released 3G first but I had their 3g and it was absolutely horrible. It was slow by my standards and whenever I was on a call randomly it would drop cause I would lose 3g signal
and have to redial the person I was calling. There is a reason not to jump on another generation of towers before the previous ones are substantial enough to handle the load. I like the fact that with AT&T I don't lose what I am doing because I lose 3g and believe me when I say I have faith AT&T will do the same with their 4g towers. Now to move onto the MMS thing I think AT&T is probably going to have serious network problems for maybe the first 3 days because lets face it obviously the pictures on the phones are slightly better quality than those taken and lets say a standard phone. I am disappointed that At&T hordes money before investing in say more MMS capabilities but Verizon is not all high and mighty and Verizon really is still currently using ancient technology. I think Verizon was right not to say yes to the Iphone the first time because A. Verizon likes control over the software on the phone which would absolutely destroy the current iphone experience. B. All of Verizon's network claims have all been done by internal studies WOW wooptidoo Basil. C. Who wants to go with old technology that doesn't even have a fall back if something happens and you lose coverage, not to mention that AT&T at least has agreements with other companies to use their towers and take their phones worldwide....Verizon's phones only have maybe 4-5 phones that can go to european countries WOW...not...not impressed...and ends my rant....Make fun of this all you want :D I really don't see Verizon having as much success with the Iphone as AT&T has already had.

[jajohns8]

1. There are two different standards in play for cellular service in the US. The GSM standard (which happens to be the one generally adopted in the rest of the world) is what AT&T and T-Mobile use. Nobody else in the US really uses it. Instead, companies like Verizon, US Cellular and Sprint are all on the CDMA standard instead. GSM signals are weaker and have more problems penetrating buildings, so that automatically gives CDMA carriers perceived "better service", without them spending a dime of extra money on infrastructure improvements.

2. We *all* know AT&T sucks, but it's also very likely true that ANYONE who agreed to an exclusive iPhone deal like AT&T did would suffer the same fate. Since the iPhone offered a better web browsing experience, a big screen compared to most other phones, longer battery life than most (allowing more Internet usage without worrying about running down the battery) and ability to download music and applications straight to the phone from over the air - it all adds up to it being a big "data hog" on the network. It's quite likely that at first, AT&T had no idea what to expect as far as all this usage it generated. (Remember, it was no "sure thing" the iPhone would even be very successful at that time.... and companies like Microsoft were predicting it'd be dead in a year.) They didn't even HAVE the app store ready yet at launch, either. Now that AT&T knows what the situation is, they've still only had maybe 2 years or so to build out the infrastructure to handle it. Meanwhile, iPhones are advancing too, with the 3GS series able to download at twice the speed of previous models!

I think that people are expecting an infrastructure to just appear out of nowhere to handle the given max network load at any given time. Is that realistic? It takes up to 2 years to go through the local court system just to get APPROVAL to build the tower because no one wants to see them. How long has the Iphone been out?

[rtdunham]

Your post is full of information and logic. What the hell is it doing here? :)

1. There are two different standards in play for cellular service in the US. The GSM standard (which happens to be the one generally adopted in the rest of the world) is what AT&T and T-Mobile use. Nobody else in the US really uses it. Instead, companies like Verizon, US Cellular and Sprint are all on the CDMA standard instead. GSM signals are weaker and have more problems penetrating buildings, so that automatically gives CDMA carriers perceived "better service", without them spending a dime of extra money on infrastructure improvements.

2. We *all* know AT&T sucks, but it's also very likely true that ANYONE who agreed to an exclusive iPhone deal like AT&T did would suffer the same fate. Since the iPhone offered a better web browsing experience, a big screen compared to most other phones, longer battery life than most (allowing more Internet usage without worrying about running down the battery) and ability to download music and applications straight to the phone from over the air - it all adds up to it being a big "data hog" on the network. It's quite likely that at first, AT&T had no idea what to expect as far as all this usage it generated. (Remember, it was no "sure thing" the iPhone would even be very successful at that time.... and companies like Microsoft were predicting it'd be dead in a year.) They didn't even HAVE the app store ready yet at launch, either. Now that AT&T knows what the situation is, they've still only had maybe 2 years or so to build out the infrastructure to handle it. Meanwhile, iPhones are advancing too, with the 3GS series able to download at twice the speed of previous models!

[CoseKish]

Absolutely ridiculous their network can't handle a few pictures and videos from iphones.

it is ridiculous!! i don't care what their excuses are but I'm gonna make sure that I'm gonna ******* up their network by sending as much video/pix as i can!!! lets all get together and mess up their networks just to get them back for all the stupid stunts they pull off!

[samcraig]

I'm excited to watch them go down in flames on this MMS launch. Hehe. I don't care what people do at this point.

You're an ATT (only replace TT with the letter tha comes before it)

You obviously care since a) you're still posting here b) you want AT&T to go down in flames.

If you truly didn't care - you wouldn't bother to post or read in threads like this.

[yg17]

it is ridiculous!! i don't care what their excuses are but I'm gonna make sure that I'm gonna ******* up their network by sending as much video/pix as i can!!! lets all get together and mess up their networks just to get them back for all the stupid stunts they pull off!


So you're going to try to ruin the network (and probably not have any success at it) for everyone else because you're pissed you had to wait a couple months for MMS?

[CubusX]

Do you really think Verizon's network will be any better once people jump ship from AT&T to them?

You will have the same issues regardless of what carrier you have. Untill the US is on a national 3G or 4G wireless network across the all wireless providers these issues will continue.

Think before you speak and type.

[jajohns8]

it is ridiculous!! i don't care what their excuses are but I'm gonna make sure that I'm gonna ******* up their network by sending as much video/pix as i can!!! lets all get together and mess up their networks just to get them back for all the stupid stunts they pull off!

Free pigs in a blanket for everyone!

[rob1215]

Wow everyone wants to blame AT&T (yes I hate them as much as the next guy)but lets remember they were Apple’s choice.

[kdarling]

LTE GSM same thing, LTE/GSM is already being used in the verizon market in test now

No. LTE is not just used by GSM networks. LTE is a fairly loose 4G standard, and in fact it's the CDMA networks that seem to be defining LTE more by being the first to write equipment standards and implement it.

CDMA is also going to be around for many years for dumbphones.

If Verizon sold a LTE handset before its network is fully rolled out in 2014, then it will likely have a CDMA radio to fall back on.

LG has already demonstrated a device with both LTE and CDMA (http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=180852)radios, and I believe that QualComm is going even further with a combination LTE/CDMA/GSM chipset.

[Dethklok]

Wow everyone wants to blame AT&T (yes I hate them as much as the next guy)but lets remember they were Apple’s choice.
Didn't Apple go to Verizon with the prototype first and get turned down?

[Rodimus Prime]

Didn't Apple go to Verizon with the prototype first and get turned down?

I believe so. Apple was demanding to much and Verizon said no. For a while they might of regretted it but now I bet Verizon is really glad they turned it down. They are watching how much AT&T is struggling dealing with the insane network demands of iPhone users. If anything AT&T might just be breaking even on the iPhone much less making much profit off of them.

Hell I would not be surprised if over all these problems Apple lost more bargaining power than it has gained. AT&T could be very willing to state they are only going to subsidize the iPhone as much as other smart phones, no longer pay Apple the usage fees.

[w0by]

MMS has been around for years. AT&T needs to grow up. I've had MMS on all of my phones for years without problems. They're pretty much stealing money from everyone because of the exclusive contract for the iPhone...the one thing they can at least offer is having MMS!!! I can browse the web and tether my phone but I can't MMS on an iPhone? GET REAL!

[MichealWeston]

Wow I have to say some of you Verizon people do speak some pretty damn good intelligence. However the Iphone has already been on at&t for so long and at&t knows what they got with the Iphone. Lets not forget that in the agreement clause at&t gets first dibs on resigning another contract..Now I will agree at&t has some major improvement to do on their network what it ultimately comes down to is shareholders money and who has the money to invest in technology. As far as I am concerned America just hit the dark ages with 3G All over I mean look at Japan and Korea the comparison is like shooting a automatic mammoth peeler verses a half naked confused apeman throwing stones at a mammoth. (really confusing metaphor I know but I just got out of martial arts belt testing so my brain is tired) Now where I was going though is that I think at&t knows they need to spend the money to keep the customers though I think their latest you can by your own tower for home but you need internet with us is a whole load of crap. What at&t should really be doing is building the remaining hsdpa and hsupa towers faster like within the next 3 quarters and starting a real push for LTE towers in major cities before the next *cough cough* Iphone revision comes out and hey lets have it capable of 4g at least while we are at it!
I just am tired of reading about all this Verizon this Verizon that I highly doubt the situation would be different with them they might have even held out on MMS even longer because who knows...that is all in the alternate universe :) second rant campaign completed !