Operation: Chokehold. Friday at 3PM Eastern US time

Seth Weintraub
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December 14, 2009
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So this looks like some fun.  FakeSteve is sponsoring an event to send a message to AT&T about their network:

Subject: Operation Chokehold
On Friday, December 18, at noon Pacific time, we will attempt to overwhelm the AT&T data network and bring it to its knees. The goal is to have every iPhone user (or as many as we can) turn on a data intensive app and run that app for one solid hour. Send the message to AT&T that we are sick of their substandard network and sick of their abusive comments. The idea is we’ll create a digital flash mob. We’re calling it in Operation Chokehold. Join us and speak truth to power!

Isn't the point, though, that AT&T's network is already choked in cities like New York and San Francisco?  Are we trying to show AT&T's customers what it is like to live in the big city?

Well, whatever. I'll go climb on my roof and try to get a signal and watch some YouTubes.  Maybe that will put AT&T over the edge. 

Update: Oh yeah, emergency calls might not go through.  Better to not take part probably --so I can call an ambulance when I fall of my roof.

Comments (7)

terry (not verified) | December 14, 2009 - 9:07am

this is juvenile.  it's no different than "fake steve" sending someone to my home to grab my phone and keep it from me for an hour.  i think he's got an (improperly) inflated sense of self-worth.  this is no different from events when college students all flush their toilets at the same time, to bring down the sanitation system: that's fun, it's funny, it hurts some innocent people, and it's juvenile.  oh! same thing.

Jaryd (not verified) | December 14, 2009 - 9:10am

Maybe someone could answer this for me. How would this affect calls? Would the towers being hit so hard cause calls to drop? If so, I would be totally against this. What if, for that hour, someone is trying to make an emergency call but can't get through?

If it doesn't affect calls, then I think it's pretty funny and should bring home the message to AT&T.

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

Tomorrow, how about we Verizon users do the same!  Trust me, they need some kicking too.  They may be more highly rated than AT&T, but just barely.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 14, 2009 - 9:22am

No can do. My Verizon phone has no service as it is.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 14, 2009 - 9:41am

AT&T has its issues.  That said, I switched from Verizon to AT&T  because Verizon service was terrible and the customer service was worse.  That was just dealing with voice.  

During the last 2 months I have had trouble with AT&T service but the customer service and tech teams have been extremely helpful and provided updates on the technical problems and also issued a service credit.  

Fake Steve needs a good kick in the backside and should spend his time working to help mankind.  The phone carriers are far from perfect and should all work on improving service, but this kind of protest only proves that idiots are in ever business.

Michael Burns (not verified) | December 14, 2009 - 10:04am

silly stunts like this probably only hurt matters and it's a silly way to get attention.

Grow UP!

Sean Cusick (not verified) | December 14, 2009 - 10:11am

Considering the talk last week that AT&T was looking to charge additional for heavy unlimted data charges, this may be a good idea to send them a messege.


I pay $120 per month for service to does not work at my residence- the least I should have is the unlimited data when I do get service.  If you are looking into adjusting price for service- how about a refund for the dead zones.