FCC: Please take note from successful mobile markets (or, Why I did not buy an iPhone! Sorry AT&T.)
source: http://www.rethink-wireless.com/article.asp?article_id=1988&ckt=ON
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- NicoMcLane
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It was a difficult decision not to purchase an iPhone with it's 80 gazillion apps (exaggerating) and fancy packaging; The choice to go with a PalmPre was driven more so by the mobile carrier rather than the device itself.
Situated in NYC, I have inside information from a sales person at a T-Mobile retail location who revealed that in NYC, AT&T and T-Mobile "share" cell towers which leads to a parallel quality of service. This is a result of local restrictions such as 24/7 access and leasing to install cell towers on private property.
The question is: Would you want to give the keys to your home to AT&T? Also note, cell towers are ugly and it has been alleged that proximity to cell towers, like radio wave towers, may have side effects to health in humans and animals, but again... total speculation and not my area of expertise.
A little back story, I was held hostage by T-Mobile for over 5 years and the service was horrible, specifically the rate at which my calls were dropped. This sub par service led to lost business, anxiety, frustration... dare I say hatred? To go with AT&T would have been a lateral move, so I opted for SPRINT NEXTEL and the PalmPre.
Finally, I have validation in this choice as the service ratings in NYC are made available from ARChart, Rethink Wireless reports: " ....AT&T Wireless is delivering amongst the world's worst 3G data speeds in some of its US markets. While AT&T is achieving an average download speed of 1,037 kbps across the country, in New York the average is just 767 kbps, one of the poorest in the study and far behind the speeds delivered by carriers in less developed countries like China, South Africa and Venezuela."
The article notes "Owing to the nature of our research methodology, a network cannot be tested if no data connection is present or if the connection is dropped midway through the speed test - two issues which are the source of common complaints levied by AT&T customers." and to that end, the article concludes "The study's best performing carrier is T-Mobile Hungary, at just over 1,600 kbps, meaning that 3G in Budapest is more than twice as fast as in New York."
I have to admit, T-Mobile worked spectacularly well when I was in Germany - full bars in the middle of the most remote regions - but, I live and work in NYC, so what good does that do us?
It seems clear to me that the FCC should invite the TelCo's/Mobile Carriers from successful international markets to their "broadband workshops" (Visit http://www.Broadband.Gov for more information on the FCC and their broadband initiative) and invite US TelCo's to take notes from abroad!
What do you think?
Link to the ARChart "report": http://www.arcchart.com/reports/bnp.asp?ref=rethinkwb
Situated in NYC, I have inside information from a sales person at a T-Mobile retail location who revealed that in NYC, AT&T and T-Mobile "share" cell towers which leads to a parallel quality of service. This is a result of local restrictions such as 24/7 access and leasing to install cell towers on private property.
The question is: Would you want to give the keys to your home to AT&T? Also note, cell towers are ugly and it has been alleged that proximity to cell towers, like radio wave towers, may have side effects to health in humans and animals, but again... total speculation and not my area of expertise.
A little back story, I was held hostage by T-Mobile for over 5 years and the service was horrible, specifically the rate at which my calls were dropped. This sub par service led to lost business, anxiety, frustration... dare I say hatred? To go with AT&T would have been a lateral move, so I opted for SPRINT NEXTEL and the PalmPre.
Finally, I have validation in this choice as the service ratings in NYC are made available from ARChart, Rethink Wireless reports: " ....AT&T Wireless is delivering amongst the world's worst 3G data speeds in some of its US markets. While AT&T is achieving an average download speed of 1,037 kbps across the country, in New York the average is just 767 kbps, one of the poorest in the study and far behind the speeds delivered by carriers in less developed countries like China, South Africa and Venezuela."
The article notes "Owing to the nature of our research methodology, a network cannot be tested if no data connection is present or if the connection is dropped midway through the speed test - two issues which are the source of common complaints levied by AT&T customers." and to that end, the article concludes "The study's best performing carrier is T-Mobile Hungary, at just over 1,600 kbps, meaning that 3G in Budapest is more than twice as fast as in New York."
I have to admit, T-Mobile worked spectacularly well when I was in Germany - full bars in the middle of the most remote regions - but, I live and work in NYC, so what good does that do us?
It seems clear to me that the FCC should invite the TelCo's/Mobile Carriers from successful international markets to their "broadband workshops" (Visit http://www.Broadband.Gov for more information on the FCC and their broadband initiative) and invite US TelCo's to take notes from abroad!
What do you think?
Link to the ARChart "report": http://www.arcchart.com/reports/bnp.asp?ref=rethinkwb
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