AT&T ranks dead last in Consumer Reports study

Seth Weintraub
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December 01, 2009
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Apple's exclusive iPhone carrier, AT&T, ranked dead last in just about every category in this week's Consumer Reports survey.  In 19 of 26 the cities surveyed, AT&T was ranked the worst.  Oh, FYI, last month Consumer Reports had the iPhone 3GS and 3G at  #1 & 2 in the smartphone category and we all know that MacBooks and iMacs are perennial top-of-listers. 

Perhaps it's time for Apple and its #1 Consumer Reports brand to consider shopping the iPhone out to different carriers?  It seems a bit strange that Apple is asking its customers (who demand the highest quality of service in Apple products) to sign a two year pact with the worst carrier (by far) in the US.

thanks jason!

Comments (44)

digdog (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 10:46am

Apple: "Can your network do that?"

entertainment72 (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 11:08am

I have fast excellent 3G reception and service from AT&T, I'm not changing anything.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 2:05pm

It definitely depends on your city. I recently moved from Chicago to New York, and while the coverage in Chicago was fairly consistent - though not the best, the coverage in New York is abysmal. Absolutely, disgustingly abysmal.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 7:49pm

I live in New York as well, sometimes I get 4 dropped calls in a row. I swear I almost threw my iPhone out the window the other day, I couldn't take those dropped calls anymore especially when you are on hold for 15-20 minutes and your call drops..... I wish they would go with multiple carriers so people would have a choice to shop around and pick the carrier of their choice.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 02, 2009 - 8:59am

wasn't it in NYC where AT&T (cingular at the time) placed this billboard? wonder if the aquisition screwed everything up... cingular

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 11:14am

AT&T is also the most expensive with poorest score on that chart. I wonder if these numbers reflect Sprint and Tmobile's recent pricing, they seem to be very aggressive recently.

AT&T is fine for me in Vegas. But I've got 2 iPhones on the plan and pay $187/m and would like to shave that down. Cost is my only frustration.

me (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 11:22am

Hmmm. Is this only in paper? I've got a subscription online and cannot find the report.

Charles Robinson (not verified) | December 04, 2009 - 5:52am

There are four sets of Expert Ratings currently on the CR home page: Cell Phones, Cell Phone Service, Toasters, and Steam Irons. I found it pretty easily from there.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 11:24am

The only problem I have with At&t is in my area (Philadelphia) does not have fast 3G networking. And I find that odd considering it's a major city. I just stick with Wi-Fi for my iPhone 3GS.

~fin~

BatMcCoy (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 11:26am

In Central California

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 11:35am

I can't agree more...  WHEN will the iPhone get a carrier WORTHY of the product!!! Is USA about the only country now that has a single carrier...  what a shame!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 02, 2009 - 10:01am

Steve Jobs is ATT's bitch. Until Jobs grows a pair  you can expect the situation to remain the same.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 11:36am

You neglected to point out that the top rated, Verizon, only scored nine points higher, at 75. Verizon is not that much better than AT&T in consumer's minds.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 11:42am

Think about this for a second...

If the iPhone was on any other network with the massive flooding of new/existing customers switching to a phone that has/still uses more data than any other phone out there in the US, I could careless which network it would be on, each US network would crumble like AT&T's.  Why? Or are you in denial? It is because the US has some of the weakest cellular broadbands in the World of cellular networks.  

 

Has anyone ever wondered why Verizon has been able to spread its network 3G coverage faster than AT&T?  It is because it's using the old standard of cellular signals.  CDMA?  Are you kidding!!!  If Verizon wants to be serious in the world, they need to get on the GSM bandwagon.  So, Apple, go ahead and make that CDMA phone (even though they wont), because it'll only be used in about a dozen networks around the world.  HAHA.

 

On a side note...I'm glad that AT&T has the iPhone, because Verizon has two serious problems it needs to solve before it could handle that phone:

  1.  
    1.  
      1. Verizon loves to cripple phones (although maybe that has started to change with the Droid).  Apple will not allow the network to tamper with its OS.  So verizon will be SOL (most critics believe this is WHY Verizon has such a strong network, because it cripples the phones down so much).
      2. Verizon can not handle data and voice at the same time.  So how am I going to read an email someone that I'm talking to just sent me while still talking to them about it?  Verizon is a joke is this behavior.  This is why there network looks stronger than AT&T's.  This proves, however, that AT&T's network is fair superior than Verizons. 

 

Just think about that for a second before you respond with negative comments.  

 

Robert Lee 

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 12:10pm

Great! You've just provided support for NOT HAVING EXCLUSIVE CARRIERS

AT&T should welcome the loss of exlcusivity so it can concentrate on building out it's network's capabilities.  In fact, it should welcome the loss of exclusivity, as that would increase the satisifaction on it's remaining customers.

 

 

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 1:09pm

1. CDMA is not an old standard. The only old standard of cellular technology (AMPS) is long since dead. In fact, the first 1g CDMA deployment went live AFTER the first 1g GSM deployment. CDMA has many advantages over GSM: number of simultaneous users, less dropped calls, range, etc. There is no way of telling how a 3G CDMA network would handle a lot of iPhone users.

2. GSM is a STANDARDS committee. If Qualcomm's wasn't such a horrible company to deal with GSM could have potentially selected CDMA as the network technology.

3. The reason Verizon network has expanded as fast as it has is a very agressive stance on network expansion. In additon, the simplicity of the CDMA upgrade path: 1xRTT->1xEVDO->beyond is likely much easier than EDGE->W-CDMA. For reference here is the CDMA upgrade path: 144kbps = 1xRTT, 2.4 Mbps = 1xevdor0, 3.1 Mbps = 1xevdoRevA, 9.1 Mbps = 1xevdoRevB, 40+Mbps = do advance. GSM does not have an easy upgrade path. They had to abandon the original technology network technology in favor of W-CDMA.

4. It is a simple software upgrade to ev-doRevA networks to add simultaneous voice/data. It is also a software upgrade to go to rev B (faster in theory than att's 7.4 and faster in likely faster in real-world situations than t-mobile's 14.8).

5. Verizon has not crippled a single phone for over a year.

6. It doesn't matter how advanced you think ATT's network is. If someone get 0 coverage they can't use it. I get 1.0+ Mbps consistently in an area ATT divested years ago (this means 0 att service whatsoever despite what their coverage map shows).

7. There are over 120 million CDMA users (and growing) in the US alone. That is more than large enough a market for Apple to sell iPhone to. Heck, almost every cell phone producer makes at least 1 CDMA phone.

 

Sorry for the rant but I am sick of people bashing technology when they don't have a clue.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 1:37pm

Forgot to mention. I use a Droid on Verizon and I would love to have an iPhone on Verizon.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 5:39pm

Got nothing more to say, but that rant rocks...I'm on sprintNextel with an HTC Hero, but if iPhone were to be on VZW, i'd seriously switch!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 10:35pm

Thanks for the lecture there...but you are still missing the point I was making...and you say I DON'T have a clue???

 

My point simply was that YES, CDMA is not a STANDARD as you mention.  Thanks for that.  

 

Secondly, Verizon DOES cripple the phones to fit THEIR network instead of trying to fit phones made for the customer.  If you don't believe me, then just go to that wonderful V-Cast that a lot of Verizon phones have built in.  Your Welcome.

 

You might be right about an update to allow you to use voice and data at the same time...but if this update is out or coming out, then how come not many people are talking about it.  And yes, I listen/read to many tech podcast/websites.  Also, who's to say that Verizon will even give you the update.  You know what will happen when they do...but I'll let you say that when you respond.

 

Lastly...you mentioned that 120 million users are on CDMA here in this country...well, According to CDG.org, CDMA networks support over 270 million subscribers worldwide, while GSM.org (with GSM networks) support over 1 billion subscribers worldwide.  Um...with this information, only 150 million subscribers exists outside of this country that use CDMA.  Good luck traveling abroad.  Thanks for your 120 million info there!

 

Please don't try to lecture me.  I have the facts just like you do.  

 

And lastly...get over the iPhone.  The only way Verizon/Sprint will get it is when those dual network chips stop draining battery life so much so the Apple will support it in their phones.  Till then...you want an iPhone, switch carriers.  Good luck with the Droid.  More hype than its worth.  

 

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 02, 2009 - 10:38am

Wow, I must have hit a nerve? Are you insecure about your phone and network?

GSM was primarily a European standards committee which has since given way to 3GPP. They have no real authority to define anything as standard. For that matter neither does 3GPP2 (the standards committee for CDMA2000-- yes, CDMA200- is a standard).

VCast is a feature. It in no way cripples any other features on the phone. Guess what, I have never had to use VCast for anything.

Umm, who cares if my phone doesn't work outside the US. Have you seen international roaming rates? $0.99/min is a rip-off. Besides, I, like most americans, don't have much a need to leave the country (which has about the same land-mass as all of Europe). If I do go out of the country I can take a cheapo GSM phone with me (with a Vodaphone/Verizon SIM card or a local SIM card) for emergency use.

And last, you fail at reading. I already said ATT DIVESTED my market. That means: NO 3G, NO 2G, NO 1G. Nothing, Nada, Zilch. ATT also failed to buy ANY 700 MHz spectrum in 60% of my state. Yes, it is a less populated state but we are still potential customers and Verizon is willing to invest in infrastructure here. Anyway, I get crystal clear call quality, almost no dropped calls, and full 3G from Verizon so why would I want to switch carriers even if ATT magically got spectrum here.

Also, the Droid is an awesome phone. If you don't like it that is YOUR opinion and I personally feel it is in many ways superior to the iPhone.

Nathanls (not verified) | December 03, 2009 - 7:35pm

You forgot to mention that ALL VZW phones can be used in over 25 countries.. If you are a travler get a global phone like the BlackBerry Tour and you will be able to use it almost anywhere.. and if I am not mistaken its a better deal then who?... at&t.  Why are we not focusing on why at&t does not have much 3g coverage VZW has had it deployed for years in the top 100 markets and they are commited to have 30 markets depployed in 2010 and nationwide 2013.. what is at&t's plan?

Nathanls (not verified) | December 03, 2009 - 7:36pm

.. I know you will get me for this but I ment to say 30 markets of 4g

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 10, 2009 - 9:44am

According to Time, Droid was the “Numero Uno” gadget of the year.


http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1945379_1944278,00.html 


The number 2 spot you ask? Another Android device – The Nook!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 4:57pm

So how am I going to read an email someone that I'm talking to just sent me while still talking to them about it?

 

rofl...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 10:45pm

wow...i really did use some wonderful grammar there.  lol.

 

How about this:

 

So how am I going to read an email that my current caller just sent me and be able to talk about it while still in the conversation?

1golfer (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 11:54am

i know it's a longshot but i've been waiting patiently for apple to open up to other carriers.  i think that's the only way monthly costs go down, by competition.  i've been very happy with sprint service for 8 yrs. now after a horrible experience with at&t  years ago.  when apple gives me some choice i will include the iphone in my stable of apple products.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 12:01pm

I believe consumers should make an example of at&t and how bad their signal,service. Consumers wont take their crappy service and high price, anymore. I urge people to speak up against at&t. We wont take it.

JW (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 12:31pm

I have been with Verizon for over 8 years and have not renewed my plan. Well the reason is two fold! The first is I am unable to get a consistant signal at home, I have to go outside to get a signal which doesn't drop the call. I am midpoint between NYC and Phl PA.  Second is that I have insurance on my phone and when it failed which it has twice it was replaced with the same model lacking features I had on the original phone. So everytime they change the phone the software removes features. I am sick and tired of Verizon selling phones stripped of features that other carriers have. So after all this time I am moving to AT&T, but I would like to have the iPhone on another carrier.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 1:25pm

You're not leaving Verizon for AT&T, you're leaving for the iPhone. FYI, Verizon really isn't crippling smartphones anymore. Now nickle & dime-ing you is another story.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 01, 2009 - 3:52pm

I beleive everyone has a choice into what phone and what carrier they can have. Its based on the experience that you have with that company. If you have a crappy time with Verizon networks and go to ATT's plans and enjoy it - well good for you. But you cant justify the prices - they are ridiculous and we are the only country we do that? Weird. But I have hope in the FCC to regulate these companies to stop price gouging and creating new competition that does make any sense with only there exclusive phones. But my story is that ATT was horrible the rep on the phone was rude, and the iphone could be better. And the funny thing is? The iphone is ATT's only phone that is keeping there heads out of water, they dont have a much better phone. But the iphone doesnt support flash, and now they started doing video messenging and I have to pay for a update. When I have my nice little Droid that kills the iphone in so many ways of compatability and usefulness. There is a free GPS, I can remove my icons or programs if I want to, there is no ban-hammer on apps that get processed, its open source, has a better screen and processer, and the OS is just as easy as iphones. People are afraid of change, they never want to do it but they have to. With Iphone its every 6 months.