Business users tired of comparing red and blue maps or watching an actor tossing cards on a large US map, may be interested in the just released "AT&T Mark the Spot" application.
The free app, available in the iPhone App Store, is intended to offer iPhone users a chance to report dropped calls, failed calls, no coverage, data failures and poor voice quality. Conveniently, the app allows users to report whether the issue occurs once, seldom, often or always. (Since this is an in-band application, I assume that the report is to be sent when you emerge from that no coverage black hole.)
AT&T claims that the AT&T Mark the Spot app is intended to "optimize and enhance the network.”
This raises some questions. What will AT&T do with this information? Will they act on this customer provided data or simply file it? Does it reveal any user information to AT&T that you might not want them to have? Exactly how does a user report no coverage or data failure if it occurs often or always?
And, finally, is this an admission by AT&T that, yes, their 3G map really isn’t what it should be?
It is encouraging to see AT&T attempting to deal with those irritating 3G coverage issues that have been especially problematic for business users in San Francisco, Chicago, New York and other locations. Still, it is a curious thing that AT&T doesn’t already know where their coverage holes are located. Most of their employees must use their cellular networks every day, so wouldn’t they already have this information on hand?
Still if this helps AT&T pinpoint and fill in those coverage potholes—especially in their 3G network, then they may be able to offer iPhone users a better map for that.
Comments