Is the iPhone 3G slowing down AT&T's network?

Jordan Golson — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:06:59 -0700

With more than 1 million iPhones sold from Friday to Sunday, that's a lot of new devices pounding AT&T's 3G network (granted, not all of one million devices were sold in the US, but we'll assume it's a large percentage).

MacRumors notes that some posters on a mobile phone forum are reporting significantly slower 3G speeds on the AT&T network around the country, dropping from the expected 1.1-1.4 Mbps speeds to near-2.5G speeds, or around 150-250 Kbps.

On the other hand, whatever AT&T's current 3G speed is, it is still significantly faster than what the original iPhone "boasted".

AT&T would like you to know that it is spending billions of dollars expanding and developing its 3G data network and "can proudly claim [the AT&T network] as the nation's fastest 3G network." The company is also doubling the capacity of current markets served by 3G and will be rolling out 3G in another 50 markets by the end of the year.

Do you own a 3G iPhone? Check your own iPhone speed at DSLReports and let us know what you find.

More news, commentary, and predictions from The Industry Standard:

Prediction: Apple will ship 10 million iPhones in 2008
Analysis: Independent gaming could flourish on the iPhone
Analysis: iPhone tips and tricks: talking battery life, signal strength, and the useless GPS