Can EDGE Get Slower Than It Already Is? Apparently So

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ofb.biz/safari/article/512.html' target='_blank'>http://www.ofb.biz/safari/article/512.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"In an act affecting owners of 2G cell phones on AT&amp;T Mobility's network, including the highly visible, and originally highly expensive first generation iPhone, Open for Business has learned that AT&amp;T has been quietly sacrificing 2G signal strength in an effort to speed up the build out of its next generation 3G network."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1231554514.usr105634.jpg" /></p><p>For those on the border or outside of a <a href="http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/" target="_blank">3G area</a> that are forced to use the <a href="http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/technology/edge.jsp" target="_blank">EDGE Network</a>, this could really be a pain (like me for example). On one hand I can see the need to build out the system, and when I'm on the 3G network I want it as fast as possible. Doing so when over 1/2 of the phones you have out in the market are 2G seems to be a pretty high price to pay in terms of customer service. Granted if you want an iPhone today you are stuck with AT&amp;T, but who knows how long that will last, and consumers have a long memory when it comes to things like this. &nbsp;Luckily for me, most of my access is via Wi-Fi at home or 3G at work, but there are times when I am forced to use the 2G network, slow as it is. Guess I'll have to make sure I'm close to a <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/retail/wireless.asp" target="_blank">Starbucks</a> when I'm out on the road.&nbsp;</p>

[Macguy59]

Living on the edge of a major university campus, Edge is already pokey when the students are back.

[Spooof]

I have an unlocked/JB 2g in Canada. I find edge painfully slow no matter where I am. I use wifi unless it is an emergency. Fortunately I am near wifi 90 percent of my day.

If I had 3g I am sure that I would surf more on my iPhone; however the novelty has worn off for me. I am back preferring larger screen for the majority of my surfing.

[Sven Johannsen]

You whiners. Why I remember when we only had an acoustic coupled 300B modem...and were glad to have it ;)

[Spooof]

Did it have a crank on the side?

[Jeff Campbell]

No, he had the upgraded version with the bicycle attachment so you can boost the speed, handy for surfing the web and getting your cardio in at the same time!