AT&T Mass SMS Mentions iPhone MMS

AT&T has started issuing mass SMS messages to iPhone owners anxiously waiting for the MMS to kick in. Although previously confirmed in a written report and then via a YouTube video, MMS appears to be on track for the September 25 launch, according to AT&T.

"AT&T Free Msg: Picture & video messaging (MMS) will be available for iPhone on 9/25," the message reads. "While we prepare your account for MMS capability, the current ‘view my message’ experience will be turned off but your ability to send and receive text messages will not be affected."

As noted above, AT&T originally confirmed the launch date for MMS on the iPhone weeks ago, issuing a written report confirming that September 25 was the launch date for the much-awaited service. The US provider of wireless services then posted a YouTube video featuring "Seth the Blogger Guy." In the clip, AT&T’s staffer explains that the explosion in data growth over the past several years has been the major factor in the delay, with Seth adding that AT&T has been working around the clock to expand its infrastructure and start handling data demands on its network.

Most recently, a PCWorld report informed that MMS had been enabled earlier than expected for some iPhone users, the earliest of which came from Mediaite blogger Ash Kalb, who reported on Saturday, September 12, that select U.S. iPhone customers had MMS support. The blogger explained that MMS suddenly appeared on his phone soon after he had performed the iPhone OS 3.1 software update, released Wednesday, September 9. Other US AT&T customers reported that MMS had arrived for them as well, soon after Kalb's blog entry was posted. Even some jailbroken users claimed to have begun enjoying the MMS service, although these reports have remained unconfirmed to this date.