AT&T downgrades Original iPhone 2G service effectively telling you to upgrade

In an act affecting owners of 2G cell phones on AT&T Mobility’s network, including the highly visible, and originally highly expensive first generation iPhone, Open for Business has learned that AT&T has been quietly sacrificing 2G signal strength in an effort to speed up the build out of its next generation 3G network. The first generation iPhone was trumpeted by the company as recently as seven months ago; many 2G phones continue to be sold by the Dallas-based company today.

OFB is reporting inside knowledge of AT&T plans to downgrade the band that current iPhone 2G/EDGE users are operating on. According to OFB’s Timothy Butler, AT&T is downgrading its EDGE/2G service to the weaker 1900 MHz band. AT&T’s response to his inquiry about what those with now slower phones? Buy a new phone.

If this rumor proves to be true, we’re going to be a little disappointed in AT&T. Word is big blue has been quietly reallocating its EDGE service to its weaker 1900MHz band, which translates into much weaker coverage. According to AT&T, this move is supposed to reinforce 3G strengthen its HSPA services. While 2G isn’t going to be phased out, this is essentially doing the same for many customers, especially people who are having difficulty with AT&T service already. The kicker in all this is that AT&T’s 3G network performance is still abysmal in many areas. Urban markets will likely but unaffected by this move but many customers in fringe coverage areas will likely be forced to move to a 3G device in order to retain data coverage. This brings us to a question: Is anyone here still relying on EDGE service (including the hoards of first-gen iPhone owners)? Remember, even if you have a 3G phone, 3G isn’t available in all areas and all you Bold and iPhone owners have undoubtedly seen your devices switch back to EDGE constantly. The bottom line is AT&T should be taking measures to strengthen its 3G service before it starts cutting the legs out from under its EDGE network.

Where’s Apple on this? Butler writes OFB also attempted to reach Apple for comment, but had not received a response from the company by press time.