Open Letter to AT&T Wireless

Dearest AT&T Wireless~

You and I have been great friends for a long time now. I’ve been with BellSouth/AT&T/Cingular ever since I knew what a cellphone was. I’ve always thought that you’ve been on the cutting edge of wireless technology, and you really have been, but it would seem as though you have no intention to expand your 3G network any time soon. Your flagship phones all are 3G capable, but the network is definitely not there.

Before owning an iPhone [as in the iPhone EDGE] I had a Samsung Blackjack. That’s right, I actually owned a Windows Mobile device. I remember the first time I went onto the 3G network in Jacksonville. Wow, what a feeling. I didn’t have a data plan at the time, so I didn’t download anything, but, I made a couple phone calls, and really, wow, the quality was amazing! At least it was in comparison to the EDGE network back home.

Then, after getting the iPhone 3G [you know, AT&T's big deal] I was able to experience the “blazing the f*ck fast” speeds in Tampa. Although, not really, cause I hadn’t slept in over 24 hours by the time I had gotten it, but I was consious that maps was loading really really fast, especially since I was driving fast with GPS on.

Here’s where I’m going to sound a bit harsh: You’ve got me locked in for another 2 years paying for 3G data…$10 more than what I was paying before. I would like to hear about some damn progress in expanding 3G. There are Metropolitan areas that you aren’t covering[eg:Ocala, FL]. There are also areas that are just an intersection on a highway [eg: Wildwood, FL] that ARE being covered. I know I’m not alone when I say “what the fuck?”

What is it going to take to set up the 3G here? You guys revamped EDGE after the iPhone release pretty quickly. I’m seriously willing to help in any way possible. So please get back to me on that someone at AT&T Wireless.

Thanks

With love,

SpecialKolin [aka: the dude that was first in line at Tampa]

3G? No Service! EDGE? Full Service!

As you may know by now, 3G isn’t in my area. This is slightly frustrating since I happen to OWN an iPhone 3G. Tonight, as I was driving home, I decided to turn 3G on just for giggles. The result: No Service. Not just no 3G, no GSM at all. So then, I flipped 3G off and found that I was able to be on EDGE with full service.

Thinking that it was just a hiccup, I turned the 3G back on to find, again, No Service. Being the Tweethead that I am, I turned it off, Tweeted it, and then flipped 3G on again (still No Service).

The fact that I had no service had nothing to do with my area not having 3G. I am currently sitting in my room, approximately 12 miles away from where I tweeted that I didn’t have service, and I have 3 bars with 3G on…I’m not picking up 3G of course, I’m on EDGE.

My prognosis? 3G is coming. How do I guess that? About 15 minutes away from that same spot is Wildwood, which has 3G. So, my speculation is: if you don’t have 3G in your area, thanks to the iPhone 3G, it’ll be coming soon.

ps: I did make sure that I was at a complete stop while I tweeted…TwD is dangerous, although I don’t reprimand it.

No Music Challenge [Day 6]

This morning, I was awoken to the sweet sounds of The Blow’s “Parenthesis” (my ringtone for when my girlfriend calls). I got dressed, and then we were off to Orlando International Airport. Just as I was getting ready, I showed Ashley how to set up her own station on my account.

Since I was the one driving, I was in charge of the music, so the entire way, Pandora was on the dial in the car. After getting into Orlando, I switched on 3G since, according to AT&T it is there. I enjoyed the “Blazing the F*ck Fast” speeds fo the 3G (sorry, iPhone 3G camping joke) while I could. I left 3G on all the way home, and was happy to see that the 3G network is actually really close to near where I live, so I guess we’ll be getting it here sooner that I would have expected.

Over the transition from 3G back to EDGE, it felt almost seemless, exept for the buffer times between the tracks. Naturally, my signal dropped out eventually and it wouldn’t play the song without cutting in and out.

I’m surprised that this week is just about over. Have any of you taken up the challenge? Share your feelings in the comments.