AT&T stops selling iPhone in New York
Last week, we heard about the Ma Bell customer support rep who suggested a Brooklyn iPhone user try using Skype instead of using the carrier’s besieged and generally unreliable voice network there. Now, more strange news out of New York City as Ma Bell’s Web site won’t sell iPhones to folks with zip codes in that city.
If I had to guess, I’d say AT&T has already given up on maintaining iPhone exclusivity and is now in damage control mode — trying to maintain their dignity and keep their network from further embarrassing service meltdowns. Thereupon, The Consumerist reports that the carrier is no longer selling iPhones to customers with New York City zip codes, a state of affairs that has been confirmed by a company sales rep:
“Daphne: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?
Laura: Hi, I was looking at the iPhone 3Gs and the system tells me that I cannot order one in my zip code. My zip code is 11231. (Brooklyn, NY) Is this true? Are iPhones no longer available in New York City?
Daphne: I am happy to be helping you today . Yes, this is correct the phone is not offered to you because New York is not ready for the iPhone.
Daphne: You don’t have enough towers to handle the phone.
Laura: Thank you for your help. So, the phone is not available to people anywhere in the city?
Daphne: Yes this is correct, Laura.
Earlier, iPhone Blorge reported that at least one AT&T customer service rep advised a Brooklyn iPhone user experiencing frequent dropped calls to try using Skype via Wi-Fi. And, now this — effectively banning sales of the device in the nation’s biggest city.
Such desperate measures indicate that AT&T is experiencing desperate times in old New York. With much holiday iPhone giving likely overwhelming their network, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a complete voice service meltdown there, or San Francisco, any time now…
Do you live in Gotham or the city by bay? Let us know how service is holding up…
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December 28th, 2009
That is one of the most ridiculas things I have ever heard of. I’m sure that a ton of iPhones were already sold in NY before this stupid decision came about. Just the line “New York is not ready for the iPhone” is a load. Kinda late figuring that out now isn’t it?