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AT&T Unimpressed With 'Operation Chokehold' Proposal to Strain Cellular Network
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Indeed, I don't know the pure numbers. Yet AT&T has been pushing UTMS modems for a while. The thing is, though, the market for those UTMS modems and stuff like 3G access points is more limited; when you think about it, the iPhone really open the floodgates of consumer data mass consumption. Verizon mostly has corporate customers, AT&T has a lot of both. There's no way to say that Verizon would collapse if they had the iPhone (I wouldn't say that AT&T's collapsing, there's mostly too many whiners), but Verizon would definitely feel a strain if they were in AT&T's position. I mean, there were so many things that you'd think would have deterred the kind of mass adoption the iPhone has enjoyed. The astronomical price for the original, the more costly data plan for the 3G versions. I wouldn't have ponied up for a data plan before I had an iPhone. Hell, paying $600 for a phone was already insane enough. So I can understand how overwhelming this could be for AT&T. They likely thought they could handle the load, but they probably bit off way more than they could chew. But they can't expand as fast as they need to, either. Doesn't matter how willing they are, there's too many other hurdles.
I just find all this misdirected anger towards Apple and AT&T over the past two and a half years to be rather irritating. Price drops, subsidy stuff, network issues; all of these issues are common and prevalent in the cellphone industry. Screaming at AT&T and Apple is the dumbest way to "solve" the problem. How about complaining about the oligopoly whose flaws AT&T and Apple have been able to manifest and embody instead? A raise in text message fees gets a lot less backlash than the iPhone dropping $200 in price does. The whole 3G users upgrading to 3GS "fiasco" drew more "controversy" than Verizon raising their ETF. It's just stupid.
All I have is my cell phone. I'm damn lucky if I can find a pay phone that's not just there for show, and booting up my computer to make a call in an emergency situation is probably the last thing I'd think of doing when disaster strikes (I don't have money in my Skype account, and grabbing my credit card and registering it with Skype is probably down there on the list, too). There's a lot of people in this boat. Collectively, we call ourselves "college students".
Yeah, but some people send life saving Email messages or other life saving data over a cell phone data network.
I won't give an example, but you can imagine that it does happen.
So the protest to deny service shouldn't go ahead based on that.
It's a good spirit to round up support to protest something against a phone company I suppose, but just imagine what would happen if everyone in the world flushed their toilets at the same time - it would raise the ocean level by 2 inches!
Ever had to call 911 on your cell phone? Could be a bit of an issue when people are intentionally trying to take down the network. We also use cell phones in the ambulance to give patient reports to hospitals while we are on the way.
EDIT: We also use cell phones to call medical control (a physician) when we are working a code (CPR in progress). The physician can give us orders for IV medications over the phone. There are some medications we cannot give without an order from a physician, such as adenosine, which is used to stop potentially lethal heart arrhythmias.
I'm going to do it! Use YouTube to watch Trailer Park Boys episodes! What time will this be Central Time?
Im telling my iphone friends
I think a new ustream show in my schedual just opend up, broadcasting live on my iphone over 3g
I think a new ustream show in my schedual just opend up, broadcasting live on my iphone over 3g
Thats somewhat frightening. I cant imagine something that could *actually* mean life or death (not theoretically, like this but what if I have an emergency stuff) depending on something as flaky as a cell network.
I guess Im also kind of concerned that paramedics or what have you cant administer drugs (like the adenosine that you mention) without a physicians order, even if it means the patient will die. Ahh, red tape. Sigh
Some facts to consider
1) An overload of data will cause 3G voice calls to drop. It's a main reason there are AT&T problems to begin with. Duh!
2) Over 50% of 911 calls are made on cell phones.
3) Interfering with a 911 call (or any other call) is illegal in most states. A year in prison and/or a $3000 fine, is not uncommon. Your abnormal data usage will be on record. Heck, just shining a cheap laser pointer at an airplane got a father indicted under the Patriot Act, so that law could be used as well.
Such a stunt appeals to the immature or thoughtless. The only thing it'll do is give more proof that a lot of kids shouldn't have iPhones.
So if it actually causes major trouble, bet on Congress to have a kneejerk reaction and pass an age limit for smartphone usage and/or mandatory data usage throttles.
1) An overload of data will cause 3G voice calls to drop. It's a main reason there are AT&T problems to begin with. Duh!
2) Over 50% of 911 calls are made on cell phones.
3) Interfering with a 911 call (or any other call) is illegal in most states. A year in prison and/or a $3000 fine, is not uncommon. Your abnormal data usage will be on record. Heck, just shining a cheap laser pointer at an airplane got a father indicted under the Patriot Act, so that law could be used as well.
Such a stunt appeals to the immature or thoughtless. The only thing it'll do is give more proof that a lot of kids shouldn't have iPhones.
So if it actually causes major trouble, bet on Congress to have a kneejerk reaction and pass an age limit for smartphone usage and/or mandatory data usage throttles.
Cool idea!!
I'm drunk right now and this sounds like one of the coolest stupid ideas that I've heard for some time. If I remember about it once I awaken from my drunken stupor I will screw AT&Ts network into the ground!!! muhahhahahah. On second thought I'm still not that drunk to see the reason in this escapade...perhaps I shall pour myself another glass...
I'm drunk right now and this sounds like one of the coolest stupid ideas that I've heard for some time. If I remember about it once I awaken from my drunken stupor I will screw AT&Ts network into the ground!!! muhahhahahah. On second thought I'm still not that drunk to see the reason in this escapade...perhaps I shall pour myself another glass...
Personally think this is all a bit childish, but there are two points already made that people seem to be missing:
Yes, network cells are (or should be) designed to accommodate normal day-to-day predicted traffic with a bit in reserve, they are not meant to be able to handle every phone in the cell at the same time, it would be a pointless waste of money (that the customer would pay for)
Yes, emergency calls are routed over any compatible carrier's network.
Yes, network cells are (or should be) designed to accommodate normal day-to-day predicted traffic with a bit in reserve, they are not meant to be able to handle every phone in the cell at the same time, it would be a pointless waste of money (that the customer would pay for)
Yes, emergency calls are routed over any compatible carrier's network.
If you are using email to send time-sensitive critical emergency information, YOU'RE NOT DOING IT RIGHT. Especially if you're using AT&T's network. I've had *text messages* take hours to be delivered!
What is really done is this: 911 calls get priority on the network; emergency services have a special code that (if it is sent from an authorized phone) gives them priority access.
What is really done is this: 911 calls get priority on the network; emergency services have a special code that (if it is sent from an authorized phone) gives them priority access.
And you're not using Wireless Priority Service? You had better call AT&T.
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/business-programs/government/wireless-priority.jsp
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/business-programs/government/wireless-priority.jsp
Anyone who sends a "life saving email" in a time-critical situation is guilty of endangerment. Email networks are not reliable enough for life-threatening situations.
Since there are people on here who are suggesting that they work in emergency services and do use the AT&T network for this sort of thing, yes, this stunt may be dangerous. But this is a situation that needs to be fixed. What would have happened to anyone having a heart attack when word got out that Michael Jackson died?
Since there are people on here who are suggesting that they work in emergency services and do use the AT&T network for this sort of thing, yes, this stunt may be dangerous. But this is a situation that needs to be fixed. What would have happened to anyone having a heart attack when word got out that Michael Jackson died?
You swapped Mountain Time and Central Time (the Rockies are west of Iowa).
There are lots of time zone tools on the web, like http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc ...
Only 300 people.... It shows most people didn't get their iPhone from mommy daddy, paid for by mommy and daddy and that most people do in fact, have a life.
If the phone is programmed for ATT, and sees an ATT network, it will not try anyone else's network just because it's busy.
WPS only works if it can get access to dial the emergency service prefix.
WPS cannot help out if the bandwidth is not available.
Wow!! If this feature doesn't win an award for "lucrative service add on that you will most likely never use" I don't know what will. Come on $50+ a year plus 75 cents a minute? Sure it all depends on how mission critical your phone usage is and the opportunity cost incurred in the added expense, but for 99% of consumers the added feature would be moot. Also I would be pissed as hell if if Wireless Priority Service failed on the rare occasion that I needed it.
WPS (read more here) is used mostly by emergency services and government officials in times of disaster.
Examples: earthquake, hurriance, terrorist attacks.
Many countries have a similar system in place.
Point taken, however most government officials (who would be responsible in above mentioned scenarios) have access too military grade telecommunications that would negate the need for this service. I suppose there are always some local municipal government that would like to be as prepared as possible and not rely on the military for certain communication aspects in a disaster scenario. This is a very very small market though and I would think that most service providers should provide it free of charge through arrangements made with local governments. Bottom line is If you really have need for such service then there is no need for it to be advertised.
Here's a better idea. Everyone that is crying and whining about how bad AT&T service is, just leave AT&T and go to another network. Sounds like the more logical thing to do. That will sure send a message.
Oh, and you can still do it on December 18.
Oh, and you can still do it on December 18.