The AT&T network was supposed to be ready for the deluge of data from the new rave-reviewed iPhone 4, but upload speeds were v-e-r-y slow. The uplink problem, confirmed in an AT&T statement, was a software glitch with Alacatel-Lucent HSUPA equipment. The iPhone 4 is currently the only smartphone that AT&T using HSUPA which has the problem.
AT&T said they have temporary fix that should return upload data speeds to the usual 3G speeds. Until the problem is fixed iPhone 4 users will have a
maximum speed of 384Kbps. Users have reported upload speeds as slow a 32 Kbps.
The A&T statement appears below.
This is not the first software glitch for iPhone 4. There is a
problem with the way signal bars appear on the iPhone 4 as well as
signal loss with
a left-handed grip. A software update is supposed to be in the
works for the bar-issue.
On almost every cell phone there can be signal degradation from hands
blocking the antenna. We posted several videos that show
signal attenuation, earlier last week. Unsatisfied customers have resorted to all kinds of actions, including selling their emails from Steve Jobs to bloggers.
software defect --
triggered under certain conditions - that impacted uplink performance
for Laptop Connect and smartphone customers using 3G HSUPA-capable
wireless devices in markets with Alcatel-Lucent equipment. This impacts
less than two percent of our wireless customer base. While
Alcatel-Lucent develops the appropriate software fix, we are providing
normal 3G uplink speeds and consistent performance for affected
customers with HSUPA-capable devices."