AT&T phasing out 2G phones?

AT&T GoPhone customers. According to a BlackBerry News tipster, AT&T is planning an exit strategy from their 2G network. Since many, if not most GoPhones operate on AT&T’s 2G spectrum, this could be particularly bad for non-contract customers. We learned earlier this year that AT&T had migrated its 2G network to a less optimal spectrum, and it appears that this latest management directive furthers this plan.

That’s the memo to management. It seems rather benign by itself. It simply directs them to reduce the price on remaining 2G handsets in order to get them out. The problem is that once they’re out, they won’t operate as well as they once did. From the Open for Business article:

While previously the company had been primarily relying on the 850 MHz band that offers a more robust signal, including superior indoor reception, company technicians confirmed to OFB that transmitters for the 2G signal used by the original iPhone and most other handsets, including most AT&T offered BlackBerry and RAZR models, have been shifted to the weaker 1900 MHz band in some areas. This shift has resulted in customers past their 30-day return policy, but still with relatively new phones, finding themselves stuck with equipment no longer able to pick up signals properly in previously strong coverage areas, even though the equipment itself is without defect.

Has anyone noticed a lesser level of GoPhone service in the new year? If so, get used to it. It doesn’t look like AT&T will do anything to improve 2G service as they try to phase it out in anticipation of their LTE network. ]]>