Thursday, January 17,2008 @ 9:30am
iPhone users reporting broken EDGE, SMS
A number of iPhone owners are reporting an inability to use EDGE broadband or SMS messaging, effectively cutting them off from mobile data use. Accounts at both AT&T and Apple's discussion forums tell of customers receiving messages saying they are no longer subscribed to EDGE, forcing a call to AT&T for resolution. The temporary fix, however, involves switching to a pay-per-kilobyte data service, with the promise of a refund later. AT&T is said to be working on a permanent solution.
It was initially suspected that the issue was connected to Apple's v1.1.3 firmware update, but AT&T's support claims that the timing of the EDGE/SMS drop was coincidental. Instead difficulties appear connected to GoPhone pay-as-you-go plans, which are accidentally dropping the MediaNet component due to a computer error. Multiple regions across the US are affected, and AT&T does not have an estimated time for restoration of regular service.