AT&T's wireless data networks (3G, GSM) are down, apparently across several markets. The impression I got was it's nationwide though not [yet] total. They've been having intermittent yet isolated problems for a while, but now it's "spread" to the bulk of their network. As of this morning, all my phones (NE Atlanta) have lost all data connection. There is no ETA, nor do I have further details.

The symptom on my WM6 PPC device is, "Unable to connect for an unknown reason." Informative, eh? On my other WM6 Smartphones, the error is even more useless.

I decided to blog this because I've been unable to find mention of it elsewhere on the 'net, and even AT&T wouldn't readily admit to the magnitude of the problem until I escalated to 2nd-level support. AT&T says they're working on it and that there's nothing we can or need do. When you discover you can connect again, then it must be working.

Given how much we depend upon mobile data connectivity, I'd like to see AT&T offer discounts on all their customers' bills for this prolonged outage. I shudder to think about those whose very livelihoods depend upon such connectivity. Listen up, AT&T: not only is the outage doing you great harm, marketing-wise, but your handling of it as well. Learn from Navisite's utter failure. Be up front. Be public. Be honest. And make it right for everybody.