AT&T Blames Recent iPhone Upload Speed Issues on Software Defect, Fix Under Development

[MacRumors]

Yesterday, we reported that a number of iPhone 4 users around the United States have been experiencing severely crippled upload speeds on AT&T's 3G network since the holiday weekend.

At the time it was unclear whether the issue, which limited upload speeds in many markets to 100 kbps, was an intentional cap placed by AT&T or if there was some sort of network issue or maintenance operation causing the slowdown. AT&T has finally responded with an official statement acknowledging that the slowdown is due to a software defect in Alcatel-Lucent equipment affecting users in certain markets under certain conditions.

AT&T and Alcatel-Lucent jointly identified a software defect - triggered under certain conditions - that impacted uplink performance for Laptop Connect and smartphone customers using 3G HSUPA-capable wireless devices in markets with Alcatel-Lucent equipment. This impacts less than two percent of our wireless customer base. While Alcatel-Lucent develops the appropriate software fix, we are providing normal 3G uplink speeds and consistent performance for affected customers with HSUPA-capable devices.

There is no word on a timeframe for deployment of the software fix for Alcatel-Lucent's equipment.

Article Link: AT&T Blames Recent iPhone Upload Speed Issues on Software Defect, Fix Under Development

 

[simplemind]

Really AT&T?

 

[smithrh]

Very interesting - it's EXTREMELY rare for a manufacturer to be called out like this. Things are likely not all smiles and giggles between ALU and AT&T right now.

 

[jav6454]

Like I said, it was a fluke. A soft/hard fluke.

 

[drumcat]

Triggered under certain conditions, huh. AKA "usage"?

 

[carlos916]

Edit!!!

.. Sorry misunderstood the article .. So I stand corrected.. Flame suit on lol..

 

[applefreak2000]

wow i would expect more of at&t

 

[kas23]

I only get around 38 kbps upload speeds, so I'm beyond all hope and basically don't really care anymore.

 

[smithrh]

Like I said, it was a fluke.

Hardly a fluke.

This is and was a major issue for them (both ALU and ATT) which resulted in upload speeds being capped to very low speeds and caused a lot of people to be POed big time.

Hardly a fluke.

 

[smithrh]

isnt this the same junk that apple said would fix the reception issue.. and now att is blaiming apple also and they both hope that a software update is going to fix everything when both the iphone and att have crappy reception?

No, different issue, different signature, different fix.

 

[jav6454]

Hardly a fluke.

This is and was a major issue for them (both ALU and ATT) which resulted in upload speeds being capped to very low speeds and caused a lot of people to be POed big time.

Hardly a fluke.

Fluke is what I call it because it's not something they intentionally wanted. However, it is true this ain't no fluke, but a severe server problem.

Something I predicted on the iPhone forums when people thought it was AT&T throttling.

 

[alent1234]

like always, i blame AT&T. the iphone is perfect and flawless

 

[ItsGavinC]

LOL at "less than two percent of the wireless customer base."

So, 2% = every user in every major market? Ridiculous.

 

[Consultant]

Ok, it's good that they are working on a solution.

 

[NoExpectations]

like always, i blame AT&T. the iphone is perfect and flawless

Except when you hold the iPhone in your hand.

 

[smithrh]

Fluke is what I call it because it's not something they intentionally wanted. However, it is true this ain't no fluke, but a severe server problem.

Something I predicted on the iPhone forums when people thought it was AT&T throttling.

Sigh.

AT&T *was* throttling. Not intentionally, but throttling it was.

 

[smithrh]

LOL at "less than two percent of the users."

So, 2% = every user in every major market? Ridiculous.

Yeah, the 2% figure is pure BS.

 

[NoExpectations]

Yeah, the 2% figure is pure BS.

Not many phones support HSUPA, right? That 2% was probably the iPhone 4 users.

 

[DakotaGuy]

It makes you feel kind of bad for them that someone else usually causes the problem and then they get the black eye for it. I have to say one thing though they are not afraid to call out other companies when there is an issue. That takes a lot of guts in the business world and even though I don't really care for them I will give them credit for that.

 

[ValSalva]

So many fixes necessary. Keeps 'em employed.

 

[Bankaimadness]

Why is AT&T so crappy?

I mean if we are paying so much for their service why are they so crappy? Can't they improve themselves?

 

[stokessd]

There is no word on a timeframe for deployment of the software fix for Alcatel-Lucent's equipment.

I'm also guessing that there is no word on the timeframe when I'm going to get a partial refund on my unlimited data plan either...

Sheldon

 

[iPadThai]

This impacts less than two percent of our wireless customer base. While Alcatel-Lucent develops the appropriate software fix, we are providing normal 3G uplink speeds and consistent performance for affected customers with HSUPA-capable devices.

Right.....so under 100kbps is considered "normal" 3G upload speed? Pathetic.
Get your shi_t fixed AT&T pronto.

 

[Xavier]

No one is going to take the blame. They are going to put the blame on someone else!

Such babies AT&T and Apple

 

[parham55]

I want to know where they are pulling the 2% figure from. Also, how can they say "we are providing normal 3G uplink speeds and consistent performance for affected customers with HSUPA-capable devices" when in the leading sentence they say HSUPA customers are the ones affected?