Comments on: Apple to Extend AT&T’s iPhone Exclusivity Deal?

By: thisway234

thisway234 — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:22:14 +0000

The CDMA network is diminishing with the advent of the 4g network that is rolling out with att and verizon within the next couple of years, apple may be wise to go ahead with a extension now but in a couple years, why not include verizon… also you can make a phone that does both CDMA and GSM… Look at the Blackberry Storm 2

By: Trader Jobs

Trader Jobs — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:49:33 +0000

It's very wise of Apple to do that, I think. This will do good in the future, if not now.

By: Weekend Update: 9.12.2009— Now in Eight Shiny New Colors | Beth Callaghan | Digital Daily | AllThingsD

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:30:10 +0000

[...] Daily’s Apple coverage didn’t stop at The Steve. Ever since announcement of the exclusive Apple-AT&T partnership, current and would-be iPhone freaks have speculated as to what kind of deal will be struck when [...]

By: Weekend Update: 9.12.2009— Now in Eight Shiny New Colors [Digital Daily] | UpOff.com

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:00:09 +0000

By: Finance Geek » How To Become A Venture Capitalist

Finance Geek » How To Become A Venture Capitalist — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:32:44 +0000

[...] iSuppli: Apple will renew its AT&T exclusivity deal [All Things D] [...]

By: Fred Hamranhansenhansen

Fred Hamranhansenhansen — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:47:53 +0000

> it’s hard to imagine that
> Apple (AAPL) doesn’t harbor
> some resentment toward AT&T
> (T), which has undermined
> its carefully crafted iPhone
> experience.

The problem I have with this statement is it fails to take into account that Verizon and Sprint by their very nature would undermine Apple’s carefully crafted iPhone experience. Both are non-standard, proprietary networks that require different hardware and function differently than all of Apple’s current 100 carriers. The whole worldwide iPhone platform would suffer if Apple includes even one non-standard carrier. Would that really be worth … what? The possibility of better network service for some US users after they switch networks? Selling iPhone 3G(S) to a few million committed Verizon and Sprint customers?

To support Verizon, Apple would have to make a phone just for Verizon, which would be a 100% increase in SKU’s and remove the advantage of making and supporting just one model per year. Because Verizon functions differently than all other iPhone carriers, training and marketing materials would have to incorporate the fact that you won’t have a SIM card if on Verizon, that you won’t be able to access the Internet and make a call simultaneously if on Verizon, that you can’t use your iPhone in other countries if on Verizon. There are iPhone commercials that hinge on the fact that you can put a call on hold and check a movie time on the Internet, but that would not be possible on Verizon or Sprint.

So what I’m saying is that if you want to compare AT&T, Verizon and Sprint for iPhone carrier fitness in Apple’s eyes, I think “compatibility with the iPhone” is an important measure. I think AT&T gets 99/100 points just for that alone.

By: Nicker Dellozini

Nicker Dellozini — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:23:23 +0000

Here is the issue for me as an iphone user with ATT:

I cannot log in to my account and see texts, voice messages, or even who is in my favorites.

They are super weak in this area.

ATT absolutely SUX at customer service for iphone users.

By: Unreliable 911 Routing, Unknown Radiation Effects: Concerns Haven't Slowed Wireless Market Enthusiasm | Sunroom Desk

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:12:09 +0000

[...] and AT&T are grappling with next generation offerings and exclusivity agreements, as today’s All Things Digital column reports, while iPhone features strain AT&T’s [...]

By: John Paczkowski

John Paczkowski — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:35:21 +0000

To your point, Ted. Pali Research recently said that nearly a third of AT&T’s post-paid customers are being retained by AT&T primarily because of the iPhone exclusivity.

That’s a lot of leverage.

http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.....clusivity/

By: Ted Todorov

Ted Todorov — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:20:08 +0000

@Michael Morrone:
You clearly don’t understand the post you are responding to: Apple has huge leverage over AT&T — to agree to extend the exclusive contract, Apple can get AT&T to give them all sorts of concessions they give no one else.

The Blackjack 2 is just some random POS phone, who’s maker has no leverage with AT&T — AT&T couldn’t care less if they lost it to another carrier.

By: iSuppli: Why Apple is sticking with AT&T | MacRevu

iSuppli: Why Apple is sticking with AT&T | MacRevu — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:45:16 +0000

[...] Apple to Extend AT&T’s iPhone Exclusivity Deal? – All Things D Blogs [...]

By: Michael Morrone

Michael Morrone — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:21:39 +0000

Dave, all 3 of your points make no sense.

1. AT&T has no plans less than 450 minutes. Why should the iPhone receive a special plan.

2. All AT&T phones with tethering capabilities require a tethering package, if you are going to tether with it (legally).

3. Why should someone with an iPhone get a special price on international roaming? Why can’t I get that with my Blackjack 2 then? I pay the same extra for a smartphone package as someone with an iPhone…

By: Dave Small

Dave Small — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:55:34 +0000

Renewing could be a good thing if, and only if, Apple seizes the opportunity to fix some of the badly broken aspects of the current deal for users. For instance:

->450 minutes a month minimum for phone calls is way too high. I use my iPhone constantly and someday I might break the 100 minutes a month mark. However, that’s unlikely. I find the telephone one of the less often used functions and the one that is way overpriced. The data plan pricing is OK.

->Free laptop tethering. We know tethering is coming and we also figure that AT&T will grab for more $$$$. That’s their style. Let’s not cripple laptop tethering from the start with an AT&T toll booth.

->Reasonable international roaming charges. Free would be a good starting point for Apple’s negotiators. The iPhone would make a marvelous international travel companion but that’s not the case now because of outrageous and predatory charges for roaming.