AT&T to iPhone Users: This Network Would Be Great if Not For You

While listening to MacBreak Weekly podcast 170 during my commute yesterday, a Scott Bourne comment made me laugh outloud. During a conversation with the other podcast hosts about the Verizon/AT&T 3G feud, he said: AT&T’s motto is “We’re not happy until you’re not happy.” And, after reading articles like this one…

AT&T: Tighter control of cell data usage ahead

…quoting AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets CEO Ralph de la Vega sayig that they are going to essentially manage their network issues by charging heavy wireless data users more (essentially most iPhone users), you really have to think that maybe Scott’s little joke is not a joke after all.

AT&T may not have to resort to tiered data pricing that essentially taxes iPhone users though. If other carriers in the US are able to sell the iPhone after AT&T’s current exclusive contract expires in mid-2010, their network data issues may disappear as hundreds of thousands or even millions of customers flip their GSM-based iPhone over their should and, perhaps, grab a CDMA-based Verizon iPhone or a new GSM-based iPhone on the T-Mobile network.

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