More Bars in More Places. We Really Mean It This Time.
By SCOTT WEBER
Updated 3:30 PM PST, Mon, Nov 2, 2009
More bars in more places-- at least they hope. In an effort to quiet angry iPhone customers, AT&T is adding some relief to its strained network by rolling out new cell sites.
The company plans to add 200 sites and upgrade 320 to 3G before the end of the year in California, according to the LA Times. Los Angeles County will get six new sites, Orange County five, and Ventura County will get one. The new sites are aimed at improving dropped calls and 3G Internet connectivity.
The iPhone has been a sales sensation for the nation's second largest wireless company. AT&T gained 2 million net customers and activated an even larger 3.2 million accounts for iPhone subscribers in the third quarter, according to Market Watch.
But the company has been struggling to keep up with demand. More customers has meant more dropped calls, poor data connections, and increased customer frustration.
When the new iPhone 3Gs was released in July, worried executives held off activating the phone's picture messaging and tethering features fearing the onslaught of data usage might wreak havoc on its network. International carriers offered it the same day.
AT&T's announcement comes on the heals of rival Verizon's plans to release a promising iPhone competitor. The new Droid developed by Motorola and Google will be released Nov 6.
First Published: Nov 2, 2009 3:11 PM PST
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