My AT&T 3G service has been excellent everywhere but NYC. I think that's the cause of most of the complaints. Most journalists live in NYC or LA where there are problems because of the amount of people and they're the ones writing about AT&T sucking so much.
I think most of the complaints are from people who live/work in areas where AT&T does not offer 3G service. Even their "poor" 3G areas are far superior to their oversubscribed EDGE areas.
They need to invest in upgrades or they are going to get left in the dark by Verizon. -- One nation, under Zod!