After reading all the hoopla this past weekend about the FCC investigating Apple, AT&T and Google, I couldn't take it any more. It is about time something is being done. Whether or not we'll see any results is yet to be seen and we probably never will hear each party's response. I decided it's time to take matter into my own hands.
As usual when I get a bug, I write emails, this time directly to Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T Mobility and Richard Stephenson, CEO of AT&T. I didn't think I'd get a response but today at 5:11pm I did. I am posting my email and the reply below. I will keep this updated with any information I receive.
For what it's worth, their email addresses are:
ralph.delavega@att.com & richard.stephenson@att.com
From: jim c <jimXXXX@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Subject: AT&T's Mobility's Double Standard
To: ralph.delavega@att.com
Dear Mr. de la Vega,
First, let me preface by explaining that I do not expect a response for you or your office. CEOs of companies do not have the time to answer their own customers, as I, only their shareholders.
There has been a lot of news recently about the Google Voice app being rejected from the iTune's App Store and the letters the FCC has sent to Google, Apple and AT&T. This has been extremely bad publicity for both Apple and AT&T. I have been following this story quite intensely since I just recieved a local Atlanta number from Google Voice. I was thrilled by the prospect of being able to use this app.
One such news outlet, TechCrunch, has posted a story regarding such: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/01/why-the-fcc-wants-to-smash-open-the-iphone/
I find AT&T's response to this story very interesting:
"Update: AT&T responded to this post with the following statements:
AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store. We have received the letter and will, of course, respond to it.
Customers can use any compatible GSM phone on our network, not just the ones weve approved and sell. And they also can use apps we dont approve. We dont approve iPhone applications."
Mr. de la Vega, why then is Slingbox not available on the iPhone but on other phones supported by AT&T wireless network? Is AT&T saying that it is Apple who solely said this app could only be used via wi-fi or did AT&T? And speaking of which, how is it that every other phone on AT&T's network currently uses MMS and you haven't approved it for the iPhone yet? Yes, I know "late summer," but this is utterly unacceptable in the eyes of your customers. I am hoping that when this is resolved and finally working, AT&T is going to be generous with their iPhone owners and offer some sort of compensation.
Also, iPhone owners' data plans permit unlimited data usage, this should also include tethering option.
Thank you for your time and listening to your customers.
--
-Jim
The reply:
Jim,
Thank you for contacting AT&T Mobility. We apologize for any inconvenience that you may have experienced. We would like the opportunity to address all your wireless concerns and customer service matters. In order for us to assist you, we need you to verify your account information in your e-mail to us. Please, respond to all on this email with the following information:
Account Number:
Wireless Number(s):
Contact Number(s):
Upon receipt of this information, we will contact you within 24 hours to address your concerns.
Thank you,
Mary Joudi
MaryMichelle Joudi
AT&T Mobility
HQ Office of the President
My reply:
Ms. Joudi,
Thank you for responding to my email; I do appreciate it. For the president's office to take the time to answer, and reply honestly, is something that doesn't happen in today's day and age.
Find the requested information below.
One other point I would like to address is AT&T's service in the Atlanta area. Coverage is mediocre at best with service being dropped, and the 3G service is not up to speed as other cities which I visit. In regards to service, I was contacted my Market Research and currently am participating in the 3G Microcell Trial. I understand that it is a trial and am eligible for compensation in the amount of USD100 at the end of the trial, this does not compare to the price of monthly service. Your competitors provide a higher quality of service for lower cost.
In any event, thank you for having taken the time to act upon my email.
Sincerely,
-Jim
.......and sorry, i'm not good at formatting in these.
As usual when I get a bug, I write emails, this time directly to Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T Mobility and Richard Stephenson, CEO of AT&T. I didn't think I'd get a response but today at 5:11pm I did. I am posting my email and the reply below. I will keep this updated with any information I receive.
For what it's worth, their email addresses are:
ralph.delavega@att.com & richard.stephenson@att.com
From: jim c <jimXXXX@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Subject: AT&T's Mobility's Double Standard
To: ralph.delavega@att.com
Dear Mr. de la Vega,
First, let me preface by explaining that I do not expect a response for you or your office. CEOs of companies do not have the time to answer their own customers, as I, only their shareholders.
There has been a lot of news recently about the Google Voice app being rejected from the iTune's App Store and the letters the FCC has sent to Google, Apple and AT&T. This has been extremely bad publicity for both Apple and AT&T. I have been following this story quite intensely since I just recieved a local Atlanta number from Google Voice. I was thrilled by the prospect of being able to use this app.
One such news outlet, TechCrunch, has posted a story regarding such: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/01/why-the-fcc-wants-to-smash-open-the-iphone/
I find AT&T's response to this story very interesting:
"Update: AT&T responded to this post with the following statements:
AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store. We have received the letter and will, of course, respond to it.
Customers can use any compatible GSM phone on our network, not just the ones weve approved and sell. And they also can use apps we dont approve. We dont approve iPhone applications."
Mr. de la Vega, why then is Slingbox not available on the iPhone but on other phones supported by AT&T wireless network? Is AT&T saying that it is Apple who solely said this app could only be used via wi-fi or did AT&T? And speaking of which, how is it that every other phone on AT&T's network currently uses MMS and you haven't approved it for the iPhone yet? Yes, I know "late summer," but this is utterly unacceptable in the eyes of your customers. I am hoping that when this is resolved and finally working, AT&T is going to be generous with their iPhone owners and offer some sort of compensation.
Also, iPhone owners' data plans permit unlimited data usage, this should also include tethering option.
Thank you for your time and listening to your customers.
--
-Jim
The reply:
Jim,
Thank you for contacting AT&T Mobility. We apologize for any inconvenience that you may have experienced. We would like the opportunity to address all your wireless concerns and customer service matters. In order for us to assist you, we need you to verify your account information in your e-mail to us. Please, respond to all on this email with the following information:
Account Number:
Wireless Number(s):
Contact Number(s):
Upon receipt of this information, we will contact you within 24 hours to address your concerns.
Thank you,
Mary Joudi
MaryMichelle Joudi
AT&T Mobility
HQ Office of the President
My reply:
Ms. Joudi,
Thank you for responding to my email; I do appreciate it. For the president's office to take the time to answer, and reply honestly, is something that doesn't happen in today's day and age.
Find the requested information below.
One other point I would like to address is AT&T's service in the Atlanta area. Coverage is mediocre at best with service being dropped, and the 3G service is not up to speed as other cities which I visit. In regards to service, I was contacted my Market Research and currently am participating in the 3G Microcell Trial. I understand that it is a trial and am eligible for compensation in the amount of USD100 at the end of the trial, this does not compare to the price of monthly service. Your competitors provide a higher quality of service for lower cost.
In any event, thank you for having taken the time to act upon my email.
Sincerely,
-Jim
.......and sorry, i'm not good at formatting in these.
