AT&T Mobility CEO Is Questioned Regarding The Carrier's Poor Service
by Joe White
June 3, 2011
Walt Mossberg has recently grilled AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega over the carrier's "consistently" poor service ratings in an interview, which took place at All Things Digital's D9 event.
During the interview, Mossberg questioned AT&T's ability to manage the "biggest carrier in the United States," alluding to the company's acquisition of T-Mobile USA. Here's what Mossberg said:
I don't mean for you to take this personally, but why should be believe that AT&T is confident to manage the biggest - what will become the biggest carrier in the United States reducing competition among carriers - going from four big ones to three - why should we believe that, when you are consistently rated as providing the worst service?A visibly uncomfortable Ralph de la Vega cited AT&T's massive userbase as being the reason behind the company's poor service. Claiming that AT&T has seen and experienced things other carriers haven't (as a result of this massive userbase - which, of course, is down to the carrier's three years of iPhone exclusivity), Ralph de la Vega stated that AT&T has improved its service in New York City. When asked if AT&T's NYC customers are happy now, the CEO noted that they were "happier than they were before" and that AT&T believes that they are "as happy as they need to be." But, this wasn't good enough for Mossberg. In response to Ralph de la Vega's comments, Mossberg noted that a great many NYC iPhone owners he knows aren't happy, and that it's "pretty common" to talk to people who are disgruntled with the service offered by AT&T. Ralph de la Vega explained that the company's first quarter results "speak for themselves." Despite the launch of the Verizon iPhone, AT&T reported its best ever first quarter sales, suggesting that - while not everyone is happy (or even "happier") with the network's service - many are sticking with AT&T, in the hope that things are going to get better. Furthermore, the AT&T Mobility CEO reminded Mossberg of the carrier's pledge to bring LTE coverage to 97 percent of the country. Are you a disgruntled AT&T customer? How do these comments make you feel? Let us know below. And remember, you can watch the entire interview with Ralph de la Vega over at All Things Digital's website.
