AT&T Resumes Online iPhone Sales to NYC Residents
AT&T had temporarily stopped selling iPhones online over the weekend to residents in New York City. This raised concerns about the capacity of the wireless network in the city, as consumers were told that the product wasn’t available. However, it appeared that sales resumed by Monday afternoon.
An AT&T representative wouldn’t say if the company resumed selling the iPhone through their website and declined to comment. However, the company issued an email earlier saying that they periodically modify their distribution channels and promotions, adding that New Yorkers could pick up an iPhone in their retail stores and through their partners.
Those who own iPhones have a big appetite for using the internet on their mobiles. They have particularly criticized AT&T’s network as too slow, and other wireless providers like Verizon Wireless have openly blasted the network’s available coverage in television adverts.
However, AT&T isn’t the only wireless carrier to struggle with the rising popularity of data services on the go, as they require more network capacity than a standard cell phone call, according to Farpoint Group principal Craig Mathias. He speculates that AT&T was trying to ease congestion during the holidays, as many consumers receiving iPhones as gifts would start using them all at the same time.
AT&T will be in big trouble if they aren’t able to handle the demand for iPhone services and a widely available 3G network. They would be losing out on a major mobile market. However, if they aren’t ready to support it, they should limit sales as to not lose customers due to a lack of network support, which would be worse.