AT&T Addressing Network Performance in Manhattan and San Francisco, High-Bandwidth Users
Those two cities see especially high smart-phone penetration, which has put pressure on AT&T's data network. The company expects to see gradual improvements in New York and plans to replace some microcells in San Francisco, he said.
"This is going to get fixed," Mr. de la Vega said. "In both of those markets, I am very confident that you're going to see significant progress."
De la Vega also addressed the ongoing issue of high-bandwidth smartphone customers, noting frequently-cited data showing that 3% of smartphone users are responsible for 40% of data traffic. In response to this issue, de la Vega reiterated AT&T's general plan to "incentivize" customers to reduce their data usage.
With about 3% of smart-phone customers driving 40% of data traffic, AT&T is considering incentives to keep those subscribers from hampering the experience for everyone else, he said. "You can rest assured that we're very sure we can address it in a way that's consistent with net-neutrality and FCC regulations."
While specific plans have yet to be rolled out, de la Vega suggested that simply offering users greater insight into their bandwidth usage has been shown to reduce their demand. Over the longer term, however, AT&T is likely to shift to usage-based pricing, although any such changes would be based on industry standards and competition and on regulatory guidelines.Top Rated Comments
(View all)What about Los Angeles??? Reception is HORRIBLE here too, and it's a high-density iPhone market.
Seriously! I live in Downtown and the coverage is TERRIBLE and work on the West Side and have 1-2 bars average with no data.
Is it even possible to make the traditional cell tower system ever work? Isn't there some other better technology out there?
With about 3% of smart-phone customers driving 40% of data traffic, AT&T is considering incentives to keep those subscribers from hampering the experience for everyone else, he said.
By hampering the experience for the few who are able to take advantage of the service they're paying dearly for?
de la Vega suggested that simply offering users greater insight into their bandwidth usage has been shown to reduce their demand.
Demand should not be stifled by personal bandwidth usage figures. Demand depends on capabilities and personal usage of a device.
The solution should obviously be IMPROVE BANDWIDTH, not DEGENERATE USAGE.
The CEO is admitting that it sucks here in a major market. What's more, they don't even foresee fixing it completely. They'd rather incentivize rationing your usage.
In sumer when i was is downtown SF, i was getting full bars on my phone... But my sister's blackberry was getting awful signal, hopefuly this wil work
I got full bars too...I did get a dropped call or two though if I remember. Can't say for data though as I never had the optional package.
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