AT&T wants to keep the iPhone exclusive

posted by Ray S. / Apr 15, 2009, 6:36 AM

This article contains unofficial information.

So far, AT&T has exclusively offered the iPhone, but The Wall Street Journal informs that the carrier’s precious partnership with Apple is going to end soon – in 2010. However, considering the great amount of revenue that the milestone device has accumulated for AT&T, it is hard to imagine the company would not wish to keep it for a little longer. In relation to this, it seems that AT&T CEO, Randall Stephenson, is now in discussions with the Cupertino manufacturer, in order to settle an extension for the exclusive offering of the iPhone until 2011. Official statements are lacking for the moment, with only an Apple spokeswoman saying: “We have a great relationship with AT&T”. So, what do you think? Will AT&T manage to snatch the iPhone from the others for another year, or maybe nothing is over yet?

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source: WSJ via AppleInsider

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41 Comments

1. heavybreathing

Posts: 276; Member since: Feb 26, 2009

I'd keep the Iphone with ATT as well, its one of the only things that keeps the general public with ATT. I'd say that most of the mobile revenue the company has coming in is business accounts.

posted on Oct 20, 2010, 1:43 AM 0

28. McMillian

Posts: 29; Member since: Apr 07, 2009

LOL! If the Iphone goes to VZW all those VZW fanboys who always hated on the Iphone will do a complete 180 and say that its the greatest phone ever and its on the greatest network. LOL! how ironic.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 7:24 PM 0

31. Jyakotu

Posts: 867; Member since: Dec 12, 2008

Haha, I agree! Everybody hates the iPhone because it's on AT&T. But I bet if the iPhone goes to VZW, then people will call it the greatest phone ever. Ugh, hypocrites.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 8:53 PM 0

35. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

And then people are going to say how it wasn't the iphone they hated, but AT&T, which is total bull considering how iphone is getting complaints left and right from people who don't even own the handset.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 10:53 PM 0

2. att_agent

Posts: 96; Member since: Feb 26, 2009

we will see....we will see...

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 7:10 AM 0

3. The Godfather unregistered

From an Apple view point , wouldnt you think it would make more sense for them to get with the company that AT THAT TIME will have 4g up and running ? Not that anyone on VZW side would be enthustiastic about such a device on our network, due to our current offerings for technical support and replacements inside our locations, but this device removed millions of people from a superior carrier and had them endure inferior coverage and lack of 3g service as well just to play with this Apple toy. I say they will not sign an exclusivity contract with ATT again, and will make it a universal device. Apple is money hungry and knows where the money is at always. Putting this phone on every network only increases their revenue and their strangle hold on the cell phone market. BB Storm FTW .

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 7:23 AM 0

4. heavybreathing

Posts: 276; Member since: Feb 26, 2009

Did you the the Iphone was originally shopped to VZN and they denyed due to the cost of upkeep?

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 7:44 AM 0

5. theDiamondKid

Posts: 2; Member since: Apr 15, 2009

ok lets be real.............. every company wants to make money and Apple is no different. in order to maximize ones own revenue they need to release that phone for all the carriers to pick it up. staying with ATT is only a fraction of the cellular business.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 8:01 AM 0

6. theDiamondKid

Posts: 2; Member since: Apr 15, 2009

oh and just for your info Sprint's 4g network is already been released in some cities and more to come by 2010

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 8:02 AM 0

21. The Spartan

Posts: 98; Member since: Jan 27, 2009

Oh and just for YOUR info, Sprint's 4g (If that's what you want to call it) which has burst to in preliminary tests at 72MBs will be annihilated by LTE (VZW, AT&T,rest of the world, etc) which has burst up to 360MBs (Courtesy of Nokia and Siemens BOOYAH). VZW have announced in press releases in the last few months that LTE will be up in test markets by end of 09, a wide commercialized release expected in 2010. Your Xohm Project was supposed to be up by now and it isn't. And I, unlike you, don't count the test markets in Portland and Baltimore. I also think it's hilarious that the hometown of the Sprint/Nextel World HQ Kansas City isn't even on the list getting the "wide release" (what is it, like 8 cities?). Xohm has been plagued by the economic crisis at Sprint/Nextel, and the fact that they fail epically at getting it out on time isn't making it any better. After all, it's the "WTF is my network!?!? Network."

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 4:42 PM 0

7. The Godfather unregistered

sprints 4g network works in chicago, and when i say works, i mean it tests at up to 20 mps. Its not functional and has been nothing but problems, and they are not going to be up and running 4g for a long time to come.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 8:44 AM 0

13. SellPhones82

Posts: 569; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

The Chicago Xohm/Clear has not even launched yet so the fact that it even works is surprising. Only B-more and Portland have had commercial launches. Chicago is one of the eight markets to launch in 2009. Not sure where you get your info but it is not a reliable source. http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/clearwire-will-launch-least-eight-markets-09/2009-03-05

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 10:54 AM 0

8. MikeG77

Posts: 426; Member since: Nov 24, 2008

The main reason why Verizon does not have the Iphone is simple.... CONTROL!

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 9:16 AM 0

32. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

So you're saying Verizon will never agree to having the iphone? You could be right but I think if Verizon is offered the iPhone again they will take it. But that's my guess. I mean that phone is their number 1 competition (I think). So bringing that phone into the company would eliminate a lot of competition, so wouldn't it be smarter to say yes to the iphone?

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 10:35 PM 0

40. Fanboys Suck

Posts: 609; Member since: Dec 12, 2008

You think? I agree with you, but I believe VZW loathes the iPhone because they passed up/missed out on a GREAT opportunity. The iPhone IS VZW's greatest competition. They may be too stubborn to say yes to the iPhone because, like Apple, they are Control Freaks.

posted on Apr 16, 2009, 12:29 PM 0

9. tflex

Posts: 146; Member since: Oct 24, 2008

as a satisfied att customer, i hope att keeps the iphone exclusive, however apple would make so much more offering it on other carriers as well. i guess att will just have to throw millions at them in order to keep it exclusive.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 10:01 AM 0

33. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

I hope so too. I mean Verizon is so great, they don't really need the iphone right?

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 10:36 PM 0

10. drewsky

Posts: 147; Member since: Jan 04, 2009

Don't be suprised that Apple stays with ATT till 2011. ATT will do anything to keep the contract going, also, believe or not, but IMO I don't think offering the Iphone on other carriers will bring a large enough revenue for Apple to change the contract will ATT. The Iphone has already made a large number of people leave their respected carriers for ATT. I know it sounds crazy, but you never know...

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 10:08 AM 0

11. Mali Mal

Posts: 35; Member since: Apr 09, 2008

People, can u imagine the IPhone on a Sprint 4G network, how much better does that sound, thanks!

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 10:15 AM 0

12. vzw fanman

Posts: 1977; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

even if/when sprint does that i doubt in terms of customers they would beat verizon :-)

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 10:24 AM 0

17. ravensfan55

Posts: 15; Member since: Feb 04, 2009

That thought makes my cry. I wish Sprint would just die and be gone.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 1:42 PM 0

14. E-Z DUZ-IT

Posts: 36; Member since: Mar 17, 2009

I don't know, but i believe apple is better of staying exclusive to att, for now. By the time anyone has any REAL 4g up and Running completely and maybe completely nation wide,it will be around 2011-2012. It would make no sense to start an iphone from scratch on a CDMA platform considering the fact that both att and verizon will BOTH be on 4g. Its better off staying with att, considering the new iphone coming out in 2 months, and WILL attract customers that have to have a video recorder or what ever else the current phone is physically missing. By the time the agreement is over, they can start a single kind of iphone for both or all carriers since the trend seems to be 4g for everyone.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 11:57 AM 0

19. SellPhones82

Posts: 569; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

The only thing that makes me think they might not stay exclusive with at&t are all the rumors that there are two or three different iphones in the works. One of which being an Edge only version which would obviouly be less expensive and not require the same $30 data plan. If the rumors are true, I just don't see why At&t would carry 3 different models, an Edge only makes sence but 3 jsut seems like over kill. If Apple does decide to offer it on more than one US network they run the risk of the Razr effect. Once everyone can get it, it looses some of its appeal.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 2:26 PM 0

20. SellPhones82

Posts: 569; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

Check that....the thrid one is possibly a China-only iPhone which will be either TD-SCDMA or WCDMA

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 2:29 PM 0

22. The Spartan

Posts: 98; Member since: Jan 27, 2009

Um...First off the current outlook for AT&T to deploy their 4g LTE network is 2014, a full four years behind VZW. Second off, Apple has been snatching up CDMA engineers for sometime now. They're def building a CDMA iPhone. The question is where in the hell is it going?

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 4:45 PM 0

34. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

Wow, the Spartman. You're actually not critisizing the iphone. It almost sounds like you're interested to see if its coming to Verizon or not. Pretty amazing how things change so quickly. From your other posts it seemed like you were completely disgusted at the thought of the iphone. But I wouldn't be surprised if Apple launched 3G in both companies even if Verizon has a 4G. Why would Apple give Verizon the upperhand even after they denied them. I know business is about competition and profit, but I'm sure that Apple is loyal to AT&T in some ways. And honestly, if another iphone comes out in 2010, people will buy it regardless if it is 4G or not so making a superior one for Verizon is not really that important. I mean come on, millions of people bought the 1st generation iphone (and some are still buying it) even though it only supports edge. And to SellPhones82, there's only two handsets that looks like its going to AT&T if the exclusive thing still holds, the third one for some reason is specific to the Chinese market.

posted on Apr 15, 2009, 10:50 PM 0

39. The Spartan

Posts: 98; Member since: Jan 27, 2009

First off you should know from my other posts that despite I show the bad things about the iPhone, I've stated multiple times that I do think the iPhone is a great device and it is as good as the Storm that I carry. From all the criticizing I've done about the iPhone, it's nice to see them making the necessary changes needed in the new 3.0. I'm not anti-iPhone, I just think it could be better and they're dragging their asses about it. And why would Apple give it to Big Red? Uh...they have the most damn people in the biz. You mean to tell me, that over a grudge a company like Apple would refuse it's device to the largest carrier in the US? Uh I think not. It's more of a question if Big red would turn Apple down again, and I may not know the answer, but I highly, highly doubt anyone after seeing how it did on AT&T would say no to it again. Plus we should all know by now that Big Red happens to have the most advanced network (They say wide spread 4g by next year) and with Alltel their coverage is sick, and you think no one who's on the fence about an iPhone would get one if they cleared up the problems and threw it ona superior network? I think not. It'd jack the sales up even more.

posted on Apr 16, 2009, 11:52 AM 0

15. artz1986

Posts: 453; Member since: Mar 11, 2009

Sprint has been working on the Pre for who knows how long, to directly compete with the iPhone, VWZ has the Storm to directly compete with the iPhone; competetion is what really brings in the money, availability...not so much. The only other US carrier I'd see getting the iPhone would be T-Mobile, but even then, their data service ain't that great, so there's really no point in that situation occuring. The iPhone will stay with AT&T for a bit longer, at least until the Pre/Storm 2/ and the 3rd gen iPhone have been out for a couple years; 2012. Or Maybe Apple will make exclusive phones for the other carriers?