The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs : AT&T: Chokehold is “irresponsible and pointless”

Even though I don’t think “Operation Chokehold” will really accomplish anything or affect AT&T’s service (at least not any worse than it already is), I’m still planning on participating on Friday at 2 p.m. CST.

What will make a difference is when AT&T’s exclusive contract with Apple is over.  Once people have a choice in wireless providers, there’s going to be an exodus to other companies.  That’s when people’s voices will finally be heard.  And I suspect that that’s the time AT&T will finally start seriously upgrading their network–when their revenues are declining their expenses will grow exponentially.  One of the oldest facts about business:  it’s cheaper to keep an existing customer than to gain a new customer.  AT&T will spend billions to upgrade its network and then millions more on advertising, begging people to come back when all they really have to do right now to keep people satisfied is to upgrade the areas where the major problems are (NY & SF), and beef up the network in the areas where people gather (around stadiums and arenas).

Quite honestly, I have pretty good 3G coverage from AT&T here in New Orleans, and the majority of the time I have no issues with AT&T’s service.  The only times I have connection issues is when I go to an event in the Superdome, N.O. Arena or at Tiger Stadium, which is somewhat understandable, but others with Verizon don’t have the same issues, so it’s obviously an AT&T problem.

I’m currently testing the new Motorola Droid phone from Verizon for work, and in a head-to-head test with my iPhone 3GS, they are pretty much equal in how fast they pull up a web page.  In a head-to-head test between the iPhone and the HTC Eris on Verizon’s network, the iPhone blew away the Eris (which after using for a few days, I don’t recommend to anyone).  So I attribute the slower speed to the handset more than Verizon’s network in that test.  So, would I run back to Verizon as soon as they start selling the iPhone?  Probably not.  I was with Verizon for 11 years (I miss you, PrimeCo!), and I put up with their locked-down service for a long time at the end.  My bill with AT&T for two iPhones is still less than it was with Verizon for two Razr phones.  Go figure.

I guess my point is this:  all Cell phone companies suck.  But what I’m hoping for is that when the playing field is evened, and the iPhone is available everywhere, then there will finally be competition and then service and price become the focus–not the hardware.  I’ll go with whatever company provides the best service for the money for my iPhone, as will most people.  I couldn’t care less if it’s AT&T, Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile.  I just think it’s moronic that AT&T doesn’t take this opportunity, during this exclusive period with increasing revenues, to upgrade its network before the competition comes.  And if “Operation Chokehold” nudges them in the right direction, it will be successful..