AT&T CEO: iPad will be mostly used on WiFi, won't drive many new 3G subscriptions
By Vlad Savov 
posted March 3rd 2010 5:11AM
posted March 3rd 2010 5:11AM
We all know by now that AT&T has secured the rights to furnish US iPad owners with 3G connectivity, but apparently the market desire for that service won't be quite as big as we might have expected. That comes straight from Randall Stephenson himself, AT&T CEO and eternal believer in the power of i-branded devices, so it may have some legitimacy to it. Surely Randall's dearest wish would be to announce his network is about to be overwhelmed by new subscribers, and the rather cooler news has already caused a small dint in AT&T's stock price. Then again, this is hardly shocking news given that 3G on the iPad can be had on a month-by-month basis without contract, and in truth any subscriptions related to it would have to be achieved by AT&T's own ingenuity -- which, judging by its CEO's comments, won't be suffering any undue exertions any time soon. Not only that, Randall's also taken the opportunity to advise us that higher data rates are likely for intensive users of unlimited 3G data plans -- whether on the iPad or on smartphones. Way to endear yourself to the masses, dude.
@darksharpie
About the only time I see using the iPad when it's not in my house, it will be at the in-laws house, or hung of the back of my seat so the kid can watch video while I drive. It will rarely if ever be in a place where wifi is not available, but where it also needs internet, and in those cases, i have an iPhone already, and tethering is a snap.
@fperennes
More so, MOST people who will but an iPad have an iPhone, and will simply tether as opposed to paying the extra service fee and cost of the 3G hardware.
If you already HAVE a 3G device, why fund a second one? This is the primary reason apple made this technology OPTIONAL (something VERY rare for them).
Makes sense really, as I think this thing will end up being used in living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens as a friendly way to hop on the internet, share photos, or read some emails. People who travel and need to get work done will likely be better served by devices with desktop OS's where there is more freedom to run productivity software.
AT&T you really I mean really need to lower your freakin data plans man. Over price for us AT&T and lower your minutes prices also.
@Inspector Gadget80
AT&T is not Metro PCS they have the same prices as Verizon.
I find it perplexing that many of the same people that say AT&T's network isn't so bad come to stories like this and bash it. Pick a side already.
I will say I think charging more for going over an *ahem* unlimited data plan is more than a little ridiculous. Give me a $10-15 1.5 gig data plan and you won't hear me complaining. Until then, I'm not modifying my usage. Tell me what I can and can't use upfront and I won't complain.
My dream plan is a $10 per gig unlimited data. And that changes on a month to month basis. Heck, even round it up to the nearest gigabyte. Then I get the benefit of not worrying about going "over" and AT&T gets to regulate (to some extent) how much is paid. I'm not opposed to a pay per use plan, just make it affordable.
@BigJayDogg3
That sounds like a good idea. Don't bash users for using the service you offer; the only plan you offer. Dial it back a little, along with your profits, if it's such an issue.
I think the guy is just trying to reassure people with iPhones that their struggling service isn't about to officially collapse due to the iPad data influx. He, of course, is wrong.
Although... it would be interesting to see how the network and user stats responded if you could turn on/off iPhone data service in the same month to month manner. But, no, AT&T would rather just keep getting the check, thanks. You deal with the poor service.
@steel
Hey Steve Jobs, 2/10/10
Why is it if an AT&T store sells you an Iphone once you step out the door
if it quites working you can't return to that store.My iphone kept on getting a
message that asked if I wanted to enter "Airplane Mode". Turns out APPLE
Has a policy that calls for this, and there is no other choice even though I
Just purchased the Iphone.That means either I drive 44 miles to store in
Tampa or mail it in and wait for return,during which time I have no phone.
Oh, yeah the AT&T store was no help, and said I wouldn't be billed for
contract change but guess what? I got a bill for $148.00,which after several
hours on phone I got cleared up.(I hope) Anyway I gave up returned Iphone
which the AT&T store could accept even though that can't take back faulty
units.Cancelled my service after 25 years and I am going to try Verison.
Just Google Iphone problems to see what I mean.
Opps, 2/25/10 , and guess who just got another bill from AT&T ?
Another $76.33
Yeah, good thing they record all their calls so they can hear not once
but twice(2 diffrent people) tell me I owe absolutley nothing.Zero
balance. And again I spend 40 more minutes on phone this time
to be told that those things were never said to me. So I guess it
will have to go to court 'cause I ain't pay'n yall. Until Iphone I
used to love this company. Just Google Iphone AT&T problems
before you buy from AT&T, you will be glad you did.
@noksutau
I hear what ya mean man. Apple has brought a lot of customers to AT&T, but their retarded return polices have hurt AT&T and made them lose customers. Don't feel too good about going to Verizon though when I had them my bill was on average $20 more than with AT&T.
This is actually kind of genius. If he said they are gonna have tons of new subscriptions, that would translate to more iDevices that make the network horrible. If he says that not too many people are gonna have 3G subscriptions, more people will buy it if they think that they are gonna have the same bad service, not worse. AT&T you are a sly devil.
I have my sim card from my wireless modem with cheap internet,
Now I just need a device to slip it in and I need it fast before the summer, so either Steve-O makes a 180 and out comes a 3G SIM free/unlocked model or Slate/other Win7 device fo me.
this is just for old people and people that dont have ipod touch or iphone ...
I think Stephenson will be suprised. I have an iPhone but I'll get the 3G unlimited, and use it a lot.
You sure about that Randy? You ought to be improving your network coverage either way.
Here is why the hate on AT&T is unjustified. AT&T is not a perfect company but has been making strides in increasing the capacity of their network. They have been for years now. Since the Iphone launched data usage has increased 3000%. I think that type of increase would have crushed Sprints network completely and Verizon would have had just as hard of a time catching up. On the current state of AT&Ts network the problem is not AT&T its the Iphone. Nokia Siemmens who builds AT&T's cell towers recently reported that it doesn't matter how much money AT&T throws at the network they will still have problems because of the Iphone. The Iphone uses bursts patterns when communicating with cell towers rather than keeping an open radio frequency. For apple this is good because it concerns battery life, but for AT&T its bad because other phones keep an open line to the cell tower. This not only creates network issues for the Iphone which 30% of AT&T customers have, but it creates bottlenecking issues at cell sites for other users of AT&T's network. Nokia states it doesn't matter if AT&T upgrades all of there cell sites to double their speed which is already much faster than Verizon currently. The issues with the network will remain because of how the Iphone communicates with cell sites. I'm not a fan boy for AT&T as they are not a perfect company, but to act as if other carriers wouldn't have similar problems with the Iphone or the increase in data usage is just ignorant.
Why is nobody talking about how At&T isn't too bothered by all of the extra traffic that's going to come from the ipad, but they still haven't allowed tethering for the iphone.
Weren't we promised tethering last year? They seem to have conveniently forgotten about it. I've been a happy AT&T costumer since back in the Cingular days but this is starting to get silly.
not to be rude but who's going to a) want an ipad b) use it on the go enough to need 3G and the kicker c) feel like dealing with at&t's network... i'll stick with Aldiko on my droid
agreed, buy a "NETBOOK" or a more useful "LAPTOP" w/3G
I feel this is becoming a pointless 3G crossover product
5Gb (unlimited plan) = 167Mb per day that's Jack Shit for a streaming Smartphone , Laptop crossover.
i just purchased a wifi and thinking that maybe i should have waited for 3g. There are spots in the house where reception is spotty, and 3 G would be helpful here.
http://www.dishler.com