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And so it ends: AT&T users report network outages amidst Wal-Mart’s iPhone 3G launch

Oops. Murphy’s Law may be in full swing today for the country’s largest GSM carrier at the worst-possible time - iPhone 3G / Wal-Mart launch day. We’ve yet to have any issues in the New York area but emails are hitting us en masse from AT&T customers reporting network outages across the east coast and beyond. Most reports recount difficulties with connecting via AT&T’s 3G network but some go further to detail voicemail difficulties, BlackBerry service outages and even complete network outages spanning hours at a time. This is obviously a pretty big deal for Wal-Mart locations in affected areas - imagine switching from your current carrier to snag a shiny new iPhone 3G and stepping out of the store only to find that your new toy won’t make a voice or data connection. Yikes. We spoke to AT&T after hours customer service and after about 30 minutes on hold, they did confirm “reports of network troubles” but couldn’t (or wouldn’t) specify which regions might be affected or whether or not these issues had been resolved. Time to sound off, BGR readers - any problems in your area?

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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195 comment(s) for this post.

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  1. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:25 pm, jkl Said:

    I have been stuck in SOS for a while now and live in New York. I think there is an outage and they won’t admit it. I’ve gone to various locations and have the same issue.

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  2. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:26 pm, Queen4111 Said:

    ATT crappy service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:29 pm, Jake Said:

    San Francisco, CA on Portola Avenue, where it turns into Market St (one of the main drags in the city) is a DEAD ZONE (lost calls)!

    3G is spotty at best in this hilly region. We welcome the new Walmart user, but hope AT&T gets its act together before they all return their ‘3g’ phones.

    Is San Francisco the city that AT&T forgot?

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  4. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:30 pm, nosthunder Said:

    Ive been having issues for the last 5 hours, first i had voice but no 3G or Edge, now i can text and surf with 3G but anyone trying to call me gets a busy signal, and when i call out i get network busy messages. Everyone i know with an iPhone has been twittering for the last few hours about issues…..uggg

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  5. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:31 pm, dkadage Said:

    ATT 3G service out in Chicago, at least on my Blackberry, so far for at least an hour and not back yet. Thanks for posting this, I couldn’t figure out if it was my BB that was screwy or ATT (either quite possible!!).

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  6. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:31 pm, pete Said:

    no service at all in SE Michigan

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  7. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:32 pm, Derek Said:

    AT&T dooowwwnnnn

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  8. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:34 pm, ToeCutter Said:

    Both phones and broadband card is DOWN in SE Michigan. We had a horrible storm last night with some extreme wind. Reports of outages as far as the east coast sure don’t instill confidence that this will be fixed soon :-/

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  9. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:34 pm, ATT Worker Said:

    I got 3g on my bold and iphone in atlanta, we cool

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  10. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:36 pm, jim Said:

    The AT&T Network in southeastern michigan is completely down for the last 5 hours.

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  11. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:36 pm, someoneonthelevel Said:

    yup midwest hit too havent had service since about 8 am. thanks walmart! that why i dont shop there.

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  12. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:38 pm, Galvatron Said:

    all circuts are busy lol

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  13. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:39 pm, David Said:

    In central Illinois still getting a busy signal. Internet find.

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  14. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:40 pm, Jeremy Said:

    Down in Chicago…

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  15. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:40 pm, Dusty Smith Said:

    I live near Flint, MI. and our service is really weird.

    My bro and dad’s Bb cannot connect to the network at all. MY Q9h, though, shows full signal, I can check my email, but I cannot make or receive calls. Even more odd, I cannot receive texts but sometimes I can send them successfully!

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  16. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:40 pm, pissed off Said:

    Illinois-based numbers went out on my brother/sister/moms family plan approx 1:30pm eastern time. My number (Illinois-based) out at approx. 2pm. Phones are in NC and KS. Need to make several business calls…this had better get fixed quick.

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  17. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:40 pm, Corey Said:

    Just drove from northern illinois to se Wisconsin and had “No Service” the whole time. I am now at a bar with wifi and 3 others with iPhones. 2 are fine and mine and anothers are still down. WTF?

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  18. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:41 pm, DougB Said:

    No EDGE in Kalamazoo, Mi. No Visual Voicemail… I can’t even call my voicemail without error! No Customer Service on Sundays!!! Ugh.

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  19. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:44 pm, sh0N Said:

    Service is still groovy in AZ. Ive only experienced 1 outage in the 2 years I’ve rocked with AT&T.

    Stop crying bitches, to save 2$ on a iPhone and then get burnt with no service on your first day serves you right.

    An iPhone from Wal-Mart, thats an effn sin for christ sake. I dont think RIM has even went that low.

    I now feel dirty from the thought.. must..go….clean.

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  20. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:45 pm, jonathanp Said:

    works in the chicago burbs

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  21. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:46 pm, Ria Said:

    We live in Michigan and when we called customer support, we were told that it affects most phones in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. They also had no idea when the service would be back online. Of the five phones on our plan, only one is working well, with my son’s Iphone only working intermittently. My father in law’s land line seems to be affected also.

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  22. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:47 pm, akrugly Said:

    no service at all in Chicago. Cannot even get through to ATT wireless - they are not open on Sundays. I hope they are working on this.

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  23. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:47 pm, gvegas864 Said:

    EDGE and voice OK in Louisville KY…this is why I’m waiting until late Jan/Feb before upgrading

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  24. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:48 pm, Kent Said:

    Down in Minnesota since 9AM CST this morning.

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  25. On Dec 28, 2008 @ 2:50 pm, Dtest54 Said:

    no problems here, strange that zach seems to be hyping the problem and the release, really no good stories?

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