NO network was ready for the Iphone. Saying that they should have been totally prepared ahead of time is just ludicrous. Firstly, no phone in history was ever so demanding as far as data, secondly AT&T couldn't be absolutely sure it would take off and be the success it has been, and thirdly, you have to first have to have the reason to up the network. The iPhone gave them that reason and I think they have been doing a fine job.

If you bought the phone knowing the service would be poor in your area and a “work in progress” then why complain about what you knew was going to be just that- a work in progress?<<

I bought the iPhone and switched to AT&T having looked at their 3G coverage map on a street-level magnification and saw that they considered my entire neighborhood to be solidly covered by 3G. When I got the iPhone home, I found several-block-wide patches of EDGE-only service and some areas of no service at all.

PLUS: what verizon cals 3G in the map commercials is no comparison to the speed of at&t's, even though it is more abundant

Shouldn't you be in the kitchen cooking my dinner?

Those are the only places I know I will lose service. To me AT&T is reliable. And the flexability with what I can do with a call is also important. The ability to switch callers text, and be on the internet is very useful and important at times. I use it to be on a call and use maps to get around. Absolutley essential for me. I also use it to guide people from home sometimes. Lol.

To me having good service these days is only half of the game. I also want a network that can be flexible and keep up with my needs. I need a network that has a more complete and well rounded service, not just based on cellular or data coverage alone. And since sprint or t-Mobile isn't an option, verizon is too limited with my needs. And I don't care how much coverage you have, if you can't be a well rounded provider, I won't use you. AT&T. Has been the best and more complete as a provider of both cellular and data that suits my needs. They are very flexible and just work for me. I have minor problems, sure the coverage could be better, but AT&T has my reliability meter on perfect for me.

But, seriously, AT&T knew what they were getting themselves into or they wouldn't be paying Apple what they are for each phone. They got more than they had hoped for, but that is not the only reason you may get crappy service.

As an end user, all you can do is continue to complain/petition AT&T in the areas that you're not receiving the service you think you should.

If you don't like it, take your ball and go to another network -- just realize you'll be saying goodbye to the iPhone for the foreseeable future.

Apple is deflecting their own part of the blame. iPhone hardware just does not handle the switch between 3g and Edge very well. That’s why BBs on the ATT network don’t have the same problem and don’t drop calls. The hardware works.

This is very true. Its the switch to/from edge that is the problem. This fact has been reported many many times over the years as google will show you.

Interesting thing about this is Verizon has no such switch-over, (its not GSM, and it will likely be a different chip manufacturer) and so when the iphone shows up on their network it will be much smoother, and ONCE AGAIN lead people to blame AT&T.

Still, AT&Ts coverage is pretty abysmal.

@IPaladin At&t has problems in two major cities San Fran and NYC. Which are being addressed. As a matter of fact every carrier has problems in NYC. All carriers have great and bad spots in this country. AT&T is great where I live and verizon is horrible (upstate NY). My gf has them and has coverage problems all the time and is switching when the contract is up. And like mr.p I will defend AT&T as they are the best carrier for me. I would like to see verizon get the iPhone. As it will get some people that have better coverage with verizon off AT&T. And decrease data usage for people in problem areas. But don't see it happening anytime soon.

I think for what they have they are doing a good job.

No one is perfect and I think AT&T knows they have work to do and they are working on it and it will only get better.

We are just so spoiled with our high speed broadband at home and we want that exact same speed on our iphones. That will happen but it will take time.

I will stick with AT&T if the iphone should also go to Verizon as I don't care for their business policies.

I do use the internet and talking at the same time and it is nice when I am on the phone a SMS can come through or an email can also be received while on the phone.

As far as talking and using the Internet at the same time, most people would sacrifice that tech for a phone that works in a New York minute.

People have a right to complain about their network providers, just as folks have a right to complain about roads needing repaving or widening. If no one complained, companies would assume that their customers are happy. AT&T has many unhappy customers because it doesn't provide a CONSISTENT level of service for the iPhone. I'm sure you'd be irritated if you're driving your new car down a newly paved highway, only to find yourself off-roading for a few miles before getting back onto some fresh pavement. The same concept applies to AT&T.

Even more disingenuous is AT&T's inability to put back its resources into its infrastructure. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt — they were somehow caught unaware of the demand. They've had time and years now, collecting money from a (substantially) higher-priced plan in which to build out a better 3G network. So... what gives?

BTW... Verizon is CDMA... AT&T is GSM. So... Apple wouldn't have gone with VZW because it means it would have had to have made a special phone just for the U.S. and paid Qualcomm a special CDMA fee.

This is Apple and ATTs dirty little secret and they cover for each other. Turn 3g off and see if you have less dropped calls. Just don't expect either ATT or Apple admit it. Neither one wants to take the heat or expense of fixing it.

Personal user experience is not a reason to trash one or the other guys, where's the civility in these forums?

@MrP: If you’ve never had a problem, why are you here?

To share his opinions. That's what we do here.

Chances are they are still contractually leashed to that sinking ship, so they don't have a choice.

Too bad for them.

More heavy users + less investment in infrastructure == easily foreseeable problems.

Source: http://www.macworld.com/article/145787/2010/01/att_verizon.html