FCC concerned over iPad strain on already taxed 3G networks
If you thought congestion on 3G networks was bad now, just wait until the new Apple iPad hits the market.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) released a blog post this week which outlines some of the organization’s concerns about the pending release of Apple’s new iPad device. Likening it to when AOL, then America Online, instituted unlimited use in 1996, and the headaches users saw from a severely overtaxed system, there seem to be some genuine concerns as to what is about to happen in March.
Phil Bellaria, Director, Scenario Planning, and John Leibovitz, Deputy Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, says in the post:
With the iPad pointing to even greater demand for mobile broadband on the horizon, we must ensure that network congestion doesn’t choke off a service that consumers clearly find so appealing or frustrate mobile broadband’s ability to keep us competitive in the global broadband economy.
While it is doubtful that this is the reason the iPad has yet to receive FCC approval, it is interesting that government body is finally taking notice of this issue.
Apple sold 8.7 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of 2009, and while that number is spread across all of the territories it is available in, it does point to just how many devices are beginning to use 3G networks. Adding a couple million iPads to the mix could leave Americans with significantly crippled mobile broadband connectivity. While AT&T has acknowledged it has issues with its 3G network, and is working to fix them, the iPad can connect to other networks via micro SIMs, so it may be multiple companies that feel the strain of this new device.
Just as Aol eventually fixed its problems with the unlimited Internet connections, mobile providers are sure to do the same with 3G, it just may take some time.
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February 7th, 2010
It’s obvious news…plus AT&T must suck if they can’t handle the network load.