I'm Torn, Conflicted, Twisted up inside

[shalemail]

****RANT WARNING****

Ok, I will start by saying I love my Atrix, I love the hardware, I love the software, I love the speed, I love the form factor, I love the screen, I love this phone. It's really the first high end phone I have ever owned and for me it DID live up to the hype. At least the PHONE did.

I HATE cell phone carriers, I hate them all.
I hate Verizon - they are pompous, they have horrible customer service, and they make you feel like you should be thanking the lord they let you use their network.
I hate Sprint - they have the worst network and the customer service is a joke.
I Hate T-Mobile - again, sub standard network and poor customer service.
And yes I HATE AT&T - I am currently on this network by default, there's no one else left. I have tried them all, (all the big boys anyway) I had been using t-mobile phones on this network because AT&T refused to have decent android handsets (come on the Backflip? Aria? Xperia? really? seriously?)
So finally...finally AT&T releases that they will be coming out with some real power house Android phones, the HTC Inspire 4G and the Motorola Atrix 4G. The Atrix? A dual core Tegra 2, 16 gigs of onboard storage, all that RAM, a fingerprint scanner...and it's Motorola? (I love Motorola phones) .... AT&T is coming out with this phone? I had new hope. I was actually excited about ... about my cell carrier. I was not embarassed to say "yea I am on AT&T".

And the day it comes out, I get the box open I install apps in a flash, I get my launcher installed, my wall paper, all my apps in place, the calls so crisp so clear.....

Then it happens, no one working for AT&T in Kansas City has even heard of a new SIM card for 4G phones, the capped data speeds, the evasive answers, being ignored by AT&T AND Motorola, being treated like, like dirt, like we don't matter.

I am almost 40, I used to stand up for my rights, I would not shop or eat at places that I felt did not value my business, I work way too hard for my money to give it away where it's not wanted. I want to take this phone and shove it so far up the ***** of AT&T and Motorola that it would never see the light of day again ... but ... but I LOVE THIS PHONE

I am torn.
I am conflicted.
I am twisted up inside.

What is a man to do, this is the phone I have wanted for YEARS, but again, I used to believe in standing up for what's right, sticking it to the "man" .... And to do that I have to give this phone back...

DAMN YOU AT&T
DAMN YOU!

 

[tekonus]

Don't worry, your faster speeds are coming, hopefully.

 

[sean76]

I asked the guy at at&t if this phone was supposed to have a 4G sim card...he said it doesn't matter, you can use a reg at&t 3G sim card and it'll work the same? I think its all BS, they can't even get they're 3G on point, how are they going to have 4G now....

 

[shalemail]

Don't worry, your faster speeds are coming, hopefully.

This does not address the lies, deceit or the serious issues of mismanagement and disorganization.

I asked the guy at at&t if this phone was supposed to have a 4G sim card...he said it doesn't matter, you can use a reg at&t 3G sim card and it'll work the same? I think its all BS, they can't even get they're 3G on point, how are they going to have 4G now....

Yea and this is part of my problem, don't know their butts from a hole in the ground. it's really sad because if they had a clue this phone would be the end all be all.

 

[shawn1224]

The new sim card is supposed to only be LTE compatible so it shouldn't make a difference with the Inspire or Atrix. I think it's odd that AT&T employees are putting out false information about their 4G sim cards and the compatibility issues. Most people are just going to think 4G phone + 4G sim card and I should be good to go. I had to bite my tounge when I was at an AT&T store and the rep was telling me that the new sim cards should be here in a week and then I could come in, get one and start seeing true 4G speeds. I looked at him like really? you're going to try and sell me that bogus line.

 

[shalemail]

The new sim card is supposed to only be LTE compatible so it shouldn't make a difference with the Inspire or Atrix. I think it's odd that AT&T employees are putting out false information about their 4G sim cards and the compatibility issues. Most people are just going to think 4G phone + 4G sim card and I should be good to go. I had to bite my tounge when I was at an AT&T store and the rep was telling me that the new sim cards should be here in a week and then I could come in, get one and start seeing true 4G speeds. I looked at him like really? you're going to try and sell me that bogus line.

^^^^ Se THIS is what I am talking about lies, and misinformation....I really don't want to be associated with a company like this.... but GOD I love this phone. This sucks. and it's all AT&T's fault if they would man up and be real about this I'd probably feel worlds better about keeping this phone and their service.

 

[sean76]

Yea I'd have to say this phone is pulling nowhere near 4G speeds! I had the Atrix up against my friends Galaxy S 4G from Tmobile last night...it wasn't pretty! The Galaxy crushed it! The Atrix is a false advertisement in my book. I really like the phone, but if I'm going to go with Motorola I'd rather just wait for the bionic on vzw to drop...which at this rate should be around 2012...lol

 

[shawn1224]

^^^^ Se THIS is what I am talking about lies, and misinformation....I really don't want to be associated with a company like this.... but GOD I love this phone. This sucks. and it's all AT&T's fault if they would man up and be real about this I'd probably feel worlds better about keeping this phone and their service.

Tis' true but it's almost like choosing the lesser of all evils. I've also been with T-Mobile and there's no way I'm going back to that mess. They have horrible coverage in Houston despite their claim of excellent coverage throughout the city. You can drive in & out of coverage, plus poor building penetration and customer reps constantly lying and giving you erroneous facts.

I posted this last year in the T-mobile forum, tells you just how I feel about them.

There is no continuity with T-Mobile's customer service .

 

[Czarcat]

--Removed--

What is a man to do, this is the phone I have wanted for YEARS, but again, I used to believe in standing up for what's right, sticking it to the "man" .... And to do that I have to give this phone back...

DAMN YOU AT&T
DAMN YOU!

I hear you and I share your conviction. Unfortunately, there is nothing for us to do. You can return the phone, but, you are the only one that suffers. AT&T simply won't care. They are too big.

You could file a Better Business Bureau complaint. It won't change anything but it will force AT&T to take the time to address. Plus, you may feel better for having done "something".

 

[shalemail]

Tis' true but it's almost like choosing the lesser of all evils. I've also been with T-Mobile and there's no way I'm going back to that mess. They have horrible coverage in Houston despite their claim of excellent coverage throughout the city. You can drive in & out of coverage, plus poor building penetration and customer reps constantly lying and giving you erroneous facts.

I posted this last year in the T-mobile forum, tells you just how I feel about them.

There is no continuity with T-Mobile's customer service .

I feel your pain. T-Mobile screwed me too, and Sprint is just pathetic service period. Verizon was the worst, they tried billing my late grandfather for roaming fees when he was 94 years old and bedridden. I tried to fight it for him but again they acted like "hey we have the best network and you either pay it or don't and we cancel your service and charge you cancellation." So we canceled and they tried to collect on the cancellation fee even after Grandpa died. I finally had to send a certified death certificate to the home office for them to drop it. I mean REALLY.

But this AT&T thing is not an "individual" event, not an isolated thing. They are blowing smoke up the butts of hundreds, thousands of customers that have gotten non Iphone handsets and it's just wrong on such a grand scale. We are treated like second class citizens ... the redheaded step children of the Iphone nation.

 

[redrider67]

I feel your pain as well! We have been with AT&T for close to 10 years, only game in town where I live none of the other providers have coverage here.

I came from an Iphone 3GS, had the Iphone 4 for a few weeks and it was no better than the 3GS in my opinion.

The Atrix I've been very happy with it except the slow upload speeds, I normally get latency times around 200 to 300 range and downloads between the 2 to 3 meg down. Uploads are around 150kbs same that had on the Iphone 3GS.

So for the time being the phone is doing what I need it to do, best part haven't dropped a call in 3 weeks. Iphone normally averaged about 3 dropped calls per day.

So I'm going to stick with it and see what happens in the next few months.

 

[ScuroRaven]

So....do I need the" 4G" sim that came with the Atrix, or will the "3G" one from the captivate be fine to use? I have been using the 3G one. I have had people say the 4G sim with give faster speeds and others say not to worry about changing.

 

[hbg]

Don't worry, your faster speeds are coming, hopefully.

Don't believe it. I am in Charlotte, NC, one of the chosen 10 or so markets with HSPA+ active and with the backhaul in place (and it shows as such on the 4G AT&T map also). We are swimming in it.... Yeah, right. The upload speeds are still capped at 300+ and the downloads are usually 2 to 3, sometimes 4, and the highest ever 5 (but rare). Our family iphone 4s have been getting better here from inception- 1250 up and 5 to 6 down. Don't believe AT&T or hang on to hope that the rollout will result in superfast speeds. Either AT&T can't or won't deliver. Get that Atrix returned for a refund and wait on an LTE Verizon phone.

 

[shalemail]

So....do I need the" 4G" sim that came with the Atrix, or will the "3G" one from the captivate be fine to use? I have been using the 3G one. I have had people say the 4G sim with give faster speeds and others say not to worry about changing.

As far as I have been told and what I have learned you only NEED the new 4G sim card if you are in one of the 7 markets that have the 4g systems up and the backhaul in place. Otherwise the 3G and 4g sims will give you the exact same service.

 

[ScuroRaven]

As far as I have been told and what I have learned you only NEED the new 4G sim card if you are in one of the 7 markets that have the 4g systems up and the backhaul in place. Otherwise the 3G and 4g sims will give you the exact same service.

So it will be needed when they 4G gets here?

 

[hbg]

As far as I have been told and what I have learned you only NEED the new 4G sim card if you are in one of the 7 markets that have the 4g systems up and the backhaul in place. Otherwise the 3G and 4g sims will give you the exact same service.

That's now been disproved. Use of either the 3G or 4G card makes no difference in the active markets. I am in one of them (Charlotte, NC) and it changes nothing.

 

[bigbadbevo]

I guess I need to take a closer look at my SIM. It came with the Atrix in the mail the day ATT released them onto the masses who pre-ordered. Anyone have a picture of what the 4G SIM is supposed to look like?

I too have a love hate thing going with ATT. They are into me deep. I have three 3 mobile phones from them, Uverse, and an old school land line. I cannot see myself giving any of them up...

 

[tekonus]

Don't believe it. I am in Charlotte, NC, one of the chosen 10 or so markets with HSPA+ active and with the backhaul in place (and it shows as such on the 4G AT&T map also). We are swimming in it.... Yeah, right. The upload speeds are still capped at 300+ and the downloads are usually 2 to 3, sometimes 4, and the highest ever 5 (but rare). Our family iphone 4s have been getting better here from inception- 1250 up and 5 to 6 down. Don't believe AT&T or hang on to hope that the rollout will result in superfast speeds. Either AT&T can't or won't deliver. Get that Atrix returned for a refund and wait on an LTE Verizon phone.

You're missing the point. Did you read the article? The phone's software isn't allowing you to even access the faster network in your area yet due to current network "handshake restrictions". They will have to roll out a software update to change it. Once that is live we should be good to go. I'm guessing for network stability reasons they chose to leave the hardware on the old protocol until the new network is up to snuff. Then they'll will roll out an update and just flip the proverbial switch.

 

[hbg]

You're missing the point. Did you read the article? The phone's software isn't allowing you to even access the faster network in your area yet due to current network "handshake restrictions". They will have to roll out a software update to change it. Once that is live we should be good to go. I'm guessing for network stability reasons they chose to leave the hardware on the old protocol until the new network is up to snuff. Then they'll will roll out an update and just flip the proverbial switch.

Yes and no. You are right on the upload issue... if they fix it- and- if they uncap it- they have not committed this yet- people are inferring it from really iffy responses by AT&T. As to the no, this has nothing to do with the download speed being bad. My market has the backhaul in place and is active HSPA+ and the downspeed is so so. I don't think that will change.

 

[tekonus]

Yes and no. You are right on the upload issue... if they fix it. As to the no, this has nothing to do with the download speed being bad. My market has the backhaul in place and is active HSPA+ and the downspeed is so so. I don't think that will change.

I wish I knew more about the network technology. People sling around "tech credentials" and network abbreviations as if they know what they are talking about all the time on these forums, but I take it all with a grain of salt. This is the internet, and it is a pretty safe to bet at least 60% of people stating facts on forums are talking out of their ass.

Going by that article I have hopes that things will change once they get an update out. Going by my experiences with relative's Motorola android phones on verizon, I anticipate a decent turn around time on software updates (at least in the immediate future, because the phone is still new).

I may be the minority on these forums from what I see, but I will be happily keeping my Atrix for some time. The phone does what I want it to and I only notice the slow network speeds when doing speed tests. Doing my daily activities on it are snappy as hell.

 

[shalemail]

I may be the minority on these forums from what I see, but I will be happily keeping my Atrix for some time. The phone does what I want it to and I only notice the slow network speeds when doing speed tests. Doing my daily activities on it are snappy as hell.

I agree wholeheartedly I LOVE THIS PHONE ...did I forget to mention that? My problem is not with the phone, not even with the network (at this point, tho I reserve right to be pissed as hell about the network if they don't fix it), my problem is that AT&T is content to throw around misinformation on a whim and lie to whom ever it benefits them to lie to. They are snakes and bandits and sadly there is nothing honestly that we can do about it. I know BBB and contact your senator and write Obama and what ever the hell else but we all know in the end if you can't hit them in the wallet (and I mean a big enough hit they actually feel it) nothing changes and nothing ever will change.

 

[hbg]

Gone

 

[ajairola]

From my experience the sim card doesnt matter(the sim card doesn't handle data it just tells the phone how to communicate with the towers). I'm averaging around 4.2Mb down and 1.2mb up on my unlocked streak. The thing most people don't seem to understand is these so called 4g phones aren't actually 4g and they don't have any difference from 3g phones except that their radios support higher download, and upload speeds they use the same technology and your not gonna get more speed than a 3g phone on a 4g phone unless your area has internet speeds above 7.2mb/s. Its all a gimmick and I agree AT&T should be punished for false advertising, but on the upside the Internet speeds will get faster just not faster than what most 3g phones can handle at this point.

 

[shalemail]

I have seen the thread with the poll about if you will return it or not. Sadly I still have not decided. I really want to keep it, I really enjoy this phone. Why has AT&T and Motorola left us to twist in the wind?

 

[colnago]

From my experience the sim card doesnt matter(the sim card doesn't handle data it just tells the phone how to communicate with the towers). I'm averaging around 4.2Mb down and 1.2mb up on my unlocked streak. The thing most people don't seem to understand is these so called 4g phones aren't actually 4g and they don't have any difference from 3g phones except that their radios support higher download, and upload speeds they use the same technology and your not gonna get more speed than a 3g phone on a 4g phone unless your area has internet speeds above 7.2mb/s. Its all a gimmick and I agree AT&T should be punished for false advertising, but on the upside the Internet speeds will get faster just not faster than what most 3g phones can handle at this point.

x2

I was getting 1-2Mbs at my house when I started with T-Mo. 8 Months later, they upgraded my area, and I started seeing 7-8Mbs...same SIM, same phone from 2009.