AT&T: activation woes not our fault

AT&T is blaming iTunes for the problems experienced by iPhone buyers over the weekend, with spokesman Mark Siegel identifying the weakest link in an interview with CIO. com. The software was simply overwhelmed by demand, writes Thomas Wailgum:

It appears that the digital supply chain side of Apple's house was unable to withstand the barrage of activation demands (through the iTunes site) that stormed in from 21 countries. Many frustrated customers had to wait varying lengths of time on Friday to get their new iPhones up and running. "The iTunes software appeared to have been so overwhelmed by demand today that customers were not able to go through that final stage and sync their iPhones," said AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel. (So far, Apple has not commented on the problems and did not return a message from CIO to talk about its supply chain.)

He goes on to look at "digital supply chains" and what the Apple activation failboat means for them.

How Did Apple's Supply Chain Fare During the iPhone 3G Rollout? [CIO via TUAW]

[#1 posted by scaught , July 16, 2008 9:02 AM]

He found a bus big enough to shove a multinational corporation under. I'm sure Steve is pleased.

[#2 posted by Mister Negative , July 16, 2008 9:13 PM]

And why, pray tell, were you required to activate your phone through iTunes at the store?

Could it have been because AT&T wanted to make absolutely sure that you were using their network?

If AT&T was behind the demand that customers activate in store, and then had the nerve to blame Apple for the delay, that's a set of big, American-wiretapping brass balls right there.

[#3 posted by Daemon , July 16, 2008 9:31 PM]

I shall now mock the iRobots who trooped out to buy overpriced apple stuff.