Apple iPhone 1_1_3 and my pre-paid AT&T account

AT&T, iPhone 1.1.3 SMS text and Edge network accounts deleted Chicago

*** STILL HAVING A PROBLEM****
For complete day by day updates visit
http://www.BoycottChapter27.org

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DAY 1...Keep Cheering for Steve

MacWorld applaudes Steve Jobs and I'm out of business.

Like most big Apple fans, I couldn't wait to update my iPhone to 1.1.3, as soon as it was announced I went to run the updates and sync with iTunes.

The new Google maps was gonna make life so much better, as the government could find me even easier if they wanted too. Unfortunately, while Steve Jobs was getting applause I was being put out of business.

I've updated hundreds of Apple products as an ex-employee of Apple (yes, I left on good terms, yes, I love the company and yes, I still own the Stock). I can live without my iPod and without mobile web, but my phone is the lifeline of my business. I suppose I need to carry a Nokia or Motorola for when I really need to make a call. iTunes seems to have been down or my iPhone is finished. I never hacked or unlocked the iPhone and I always make my donations by purchasing music from the iTunes store.

But while Steve Jobs got his applause I missed numerous important business and personal phone calls. Apple, please be sure your updates are correct before you mess with my livelyhood and increase the available bandwith on iTunes. You guys killed me today!!
Be sure to wait before you update to 1.1.3, either until an announcement is made or iTunes is brought back online
Day 2 no Texting or Internet outside of Wi-Fi

It is now Wed. Jan. 16th 2008, one full day after MacWorld, the world is still Applauding Steve Jobs and my iPhone is still not working.

It has been confirmed from AT&T technical service that due to issues with their system and the 1.1.3 iPhone update that all (At least Chicago) iPhone accounts had the Text Messageing and Edge Internet service deleted from users accounts. There is still no ETA on when our iPhones will return to full-service rather than being...Big Cell Phones.

The rep at AT&T of course blamed the 1.1.3 update and the friendly, happy Apple Store folks fall back on...it's an AT&T issue. Quite frankly, I no longer care. This is hour 28 of no Texting, email or internet for iPhone users in at the very least the ChicaoLand Area.

Steve, stop playing to the crowd and get this stuff straight. This is not the iPod busines, texting and mobile email are mission critical for business today.

Please let me know if anyone is able to nail down an ETA on the return of the services we are paying for.

*****DAY 9 STILL GETTING CHARGED, NO FIX IN SIGHT****
This is my latest post to the AT&T customer "care" forum, any chance of a response??

I am not being obnoxious, but the abuse that AT&T has put me through over the last 9 days is an absolute nightmare.
I have a prepay GoPhone iPhone, which has been prepaid for unlimited text and edge internet through the 28th of January. Due to a national software issue
affecting PrePay iPhone customers, I have been forced to call "Customer Care" 3 times a day to have my balance replenished. The reps are nice and apologetic, but 3 times a day for 9, going on 10 days??
I refuse to scream and yell, so I can not get a supervisor on the phone. I'm so at a loss, that I am writing a note to a message board that will go unread.

I would love AT&T to try and explain why I should switch my home phone, internet, and cable TV to their service.
How can I justify even keeping this "once fun" iPhone?

Am I being "forced" to sign a contract with this prepay service disaster? This is without a doubt the absolute worst experience (as a customer) in my 36 year existence.

How can I possibly ever recommend AT&T service to anyone?

Does anyone have any suggestions? What is AT&T gonna do for me??

I'm so at a loss.

My complete saga is at http://www.BoycottChapter27.org, an unrelated blog, but the biggest audience I can present to.
I'm sure this web address will be deleted, along with this message, but atleast I got to vent, rather than throwing my iPhone out the window.