AT&T is resuming online sales of iPhones to New Yorkers after suspending them over the weekend for unclear reasons. Apple iPhone was still on sale through retail stores. Then abruptly started selling them again just as mysteriously on Monday.
People who entered a New York zip code over the Christmas weekend while trying to buy an iPhone from AT&T received a message saying the device wasn’t available in their area. The device, however, was still available to New Yorkers through Apple or AT&T stores.
According to an AT&T spokesperson, the sales were halted due to a change in the company’s distribution channels. However, speculations ranged from fraud to issues with the carrier’s network, the latter being more plausible. There are no exact details on why New York was affected, which fuels the rumors regarding possible network congestion issues, which AT&T is familiar with.
Even in the past, AT&T, the exclusive wireless carrier for iPhones in the nation, has been lambasted for the quality of its network coverage. Users have complaint about delayed text and voice messages, sluggish download speeds, and other network related problems.
AT&T has not maintained complete silence over its concerns. In early December, AT&T Mobility President Ralph de la Vega said the carrier was working on improving service in New York and San Francisco — areas of concentrated demand.