Exec Suggests AT&T iPhone Exclusivity in US May End Soon

**Paul Daniel Ash** · 10-22-2009, 05:18 PM

AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega, in a conference call quoted by Computerworld, alluded to the end of AT&T's deal with Apple for exclusive rights as the iPhone carrier, a reference that many observers are seizing upon as a suggestion that there could soon be additional service providers for the device in the US.

In a question-and-answer session, de la Vega said "[w]e have a legacy of having a great portfolio...that will continue after the iPhone is no longer exclusive to us." Somewhat downplaying its third-quarter results that showed 3.2 million iPhone activations - of which nearly 40 percent were customers who were new to AT&T - de la Vega said that though the iPhone has been a "good source of new gross [subscribers] for us," the new iPhone users only made up only a third of the total from all devices. AT&T has has 81.6 million subscribers in the US.

In the Computerworld piece, de la Vega was quoted as upbeat about the future development of AT&T's high-speed network:

"Even if we lose exclusivity [of the iPhone], we will be the only carrier with HSPA 7.2 [a network specification being deployed at AT&T] and [new devices] will work on our network faster," de la Vega said. "I feel as strongly as ever [about] the capability of devices in our lineup and [am] super-excited about the deals with e-readers and personal navigation devices. "

De la Vega also said AT&T is now working with device manufacturers to build Android phones that will "work best" on the AT&T network. "They are terrific devices and much better on AT&T than on anybody else's network."

There have been rumors have for some time that Apple is considering Verizon Wireless as an additional carrier in the US. These suggestions seem somewhat less plausible in the wake of Verizon's aggressive marketing of its Android-based smartphone.

In the conference call, de la Vega lavished praise on the iPhone not just as a money maker but as a good product. "We spend an awful lot of time looking for the next great device and the next great technologies, and we think iPhone has set the bar," he said. "All the manufacturers are figuring out how to get close, but iPhone is still the best in the world at this point.

"I never understated the capability that Apple has...," he continued. "It's all about making it simple for customers to use the services. Others will try to emulate them, but that device by far is the best in terms of ease of use."

**playboii** · 10-22-2009, 05:21 PM

yesss!!! finally i can leave at&t lol

**Kamil18** · 10-22-2009, 05:32 PM

Hmm.... Can't really see where it can go other then AT&T...

Verizons definatly out.
T-Mobile i guess...? since they already have sim...

**smokeyismyg** · 10-22-2009, 05:37 PM

if they go to tmobile i won't have to worry about unlocking anymore!

**Frostbite** · 10-22-2009, 05:48 PM

Why does anyone care if its not Verizon? You want other SIM card carriers, Jailbreak, you want AT&T no problems, You want Verizon (this is me) cry unless this post says its confirmed.. which it doesnt

**famleon69** · 10-22-2009, 05:57 PM

are the dev teams and hackers aware of this before???? that is why they did not show any interest on doing it

**Doppler** · 10-22-2009, 06:03 PM

Key word here... People get some reading comprehension and don't pay attention to the TITLE. They have not lost exclusiveness and when the question was asked it was asked "What do you PLAN TO DO IF." Sure it has to end sometime, but seriously doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon.

**ipoong** · 10-22-2009, 06:05 PM

Oh, come on. You mean there are people disenfranchised with AT&Ts craptastic customer service?

Maybe I'm being rough, I mean, AT&T hasn't had a class action lawsuit from its current/former clients in what? 18? 24 months?

The only company with worse customer support (IMHE) than AT&T is Verizon. I'm glad to hear that many people love them both. YMMV

**ncnyxx13** · 10-22-2009, 06:11 PM

having tmobile on the iphone is like having a brand new 70" led tv with rabbit ears on it and no bluray

verizon is going to have HSPA+ soon which means iPhone will be capable to be on their network

**bargsbeer** · 10-22-2009, 06:14 PM

I don't think At&t is going to give up the iPhone without a fight, I would be willing to bet they would give Apple their left "Nut" (if they had one)

**awesomeSlayer** · 10-22-2009, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Frostbite

Why does anyone care if its not Verizon? You want other SIM card carriers, Jailbreak, you want AT&T no problems, You want Verizon (this is me) cry unless this post says its confirmed.. which it doesnt

You don't jailbreak to get a different carrier. You unlock the phone to change carriers.

EDIT: My bad...You do need jailbeak for the all iPhones.

**Ticko** · 10-22-2009, 06:27 PM

i really hope they goto tmobile instead of verizon even though that seems unlikely

**orly910** · 10-22-2009, 07:11 PM

I dont see why apple hasn't decided to be with another carrier along with At&t,, Apple wants more money, another carrier = more iphone buyers = more money for apple... would love to see the iphone with t-mobile, sure hope apple thinks like :S =D

**iPhonePilot** · 10-22-2009, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by ncnyxx13

having T-Mobile on the iphone is like having a brand new 70" led tv with rabbit ears on it and no bluray

Verizon is going to have HSPA+ soon which means iPhone will be capable to be on their network

What are you talking about???

First of all T-Mobile is already doing HSDPA 7.5 in their current network AND is only a software upgrade away scheduled for the fist of Dec on the HSUPA running at the same speed. PLUS T-Mobile DOES have the spectrum readily available and almost completely "UNCROWDED" unlike the AT&T cluster-crap they have... This is where the 4.2 billion (yes BILLIONS!!! more than any other carrier in US history!!) they spent on the spectrum a couple of years back is now going to REALLY pay off..

Truth of the matter is that AT&T has been ridding on the iPhone waggon WAAAAAYYYY too long while locking millions of suckers out there to a two year contract. they loaded the hell out of the VERY poorly designed network. They have less than half of the available bandwidth than Tmo has therefore providing SUBPAR service (to put it nicely), then add the worst customer service of ANY company and you have the perfect recipe for failure- and fail they will...

In the end, it will be Verizon and T-Mobile standing and everyone else below. The question is- do you really want to pay hard earned money for Verizon's unreal price tag when you have as good of a network, if not better in most metro cities (if you dont believe me please refer to Consumer Reports.com and read for your self...) for half the price?? Personally not even if I was in a better financial situation I was a couple of years back would I even consider going back to Verizon now that I have experienced T-Mobile; Specially in todays economy- I definitely won't leave T-Mobile; Same if not better system as Verizon at HALF the price, JD Powers Best Customer Service award for the last few YEARS (yes years NOT quarters!!) in a row, what else can you ask for?? ...

just my 2 cents

Originally Posted by Kamil18

Hmm.... Can't really see where it can go other then AT&T...

Verizon is definitely out

T-Mobile i guess...? since they already have sim...

Verizon is definitely out (unless they completely redesign the "guts" of the iPhone)

Yes T-Mobile they both use the same technology- GSM/UMTS.

In fact they use the very same basetower equipment. Nokia Node Bs UMTS Equipment. the difference is the operating frequencies and this is a vey easy fix on the iPhone to transmit the correct freqs.

Lets NOT forget that T-Mobile just merged with Orange in Europe (arguably making t-mobile the largest carrier in the world now

) and Orange does have the iPhone...

just an FYI...

**lll2for3lll** · 10-22-2009, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by awesomeiPod

You don't jailbreak to get a different carrier. You unlock the phone to change carriers.

You have to jailbreak in order to unlock. Wow, some people are so........

**JonFolse** · 10-22-2009, 07:59 PM

Cmon Tmobile

**lll2for3lll** · 10-22-2009, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by iPhonePilot

What are you talking about???

First of all T-Mobile is already doing HSDPA 7.5 in their current network AND is only a software upgrade away scheduled for the fist of Dec on the HSUPA running at the same speed. PLUS T-Mobile DOES have the spectrum readily available and almost completely "UNCROWDED" unlike the AT&T cluster-crap they have... This is where the 4.2 billion (yes BILLIONS!!! more than any other carrier in US history!!) they spent on the spectrum a couple of years back is now going to REALLY pay off..

Truth of the matter is that AT&T has been ridding on the iPhone waggon WAAAAAYYYY too long while locking millions of suckers out there to a two year contract. they loaded the hell out of the VERY poorly designed network. They have less than half of the available bandwidth than Tmo has therefore providing SUBPAR service (to put it nicely), then add the worst customer service of ANY company and you have the perfect recipe for failure- and fail they will...

In the end, it will be Verizon and T-Mobile standing and everyone else below. The question is- do you really want to pay hard earned money for Verizon's unreal price tag when you have as good of a network, if not better in most metro cities (if you dont believe me please refer to Consumer Reports.com and read for your self...) for half the price?? Personally not even if I was in a better financial situation I was a couple of years back would I even consider going back to Verizon now that I have experienced T-Mobile; Specially in todays economy- I definitely won't leave T-Mobile; Same if not better system as Verizon at HALF the price, JD Powers Best Customer Service award for the last few YEARS (yes years NOT quarters!!) in a row, what else can you ask for?? ...

just my 2 cents

Verizon is definitely out (unless they completely redesign the "guts" of the iPhone)

Yes T-Mobile they both use the same technology- GSM/UMTS.

In fact they use the very same basetower equipment. Nokia Node Bs UMTS Equipment. the difference is the operating frequencies and this is a vey easy fix on the iPhone to transmit the correct freqs.

Lets NOT forget that T-Mobile just merged with Orange in Europe (arguably making t-mobile the largest carrier in the world now

) and Orange does have the iPhone...

just an FYI...

Yes T-Mobile is the ****.

**plcrules** · 10-22-2009, 08:06 PM

if version does get it it will b there only good fone

lol and now lets watch the droid kill it self

**jdm.accord** · 10-22-2009, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by ipoong

Oh, come on. You mean there are people disenfranchised with AT&Ts craptastic customer service?

lol disenfranchised, seriously? Nice word there cowboy but try using it correctly next time instead of just throwing it out there.

I think you mean disenchanted

**lll2for3lll** · 10-22-2009, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by plcrules

if version does get it it will b there only good fone

lol and now lets watch the droid kill it self

LOL I laugh at people when the pull the Instinct, GI, and myTouch out of their pockets. Someone I know has the myTouch and she went back to the BlackBerry. The phone kept freezing like ****. HTC sure can make some ****** phones. If I didn't have an iPhone I'd be sporting a BlackBerry.

Originally Posted by lll2for3lll

LOL I laugh at people when the pull the Instinct, GI, and myTouch out of their pockets. Someone I know has the myTouch and she went back to the BlackBerry. The phone kept freezing like ****. HTC sure can make some ****** phones. If I didn't have an iPhone I'd be sporting a BlackBerry.

"myTouch" That's sounds so ***.

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Thread: Exec Suggests AT&T iPhone Exclusivity in US May End Soon

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AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega, in a conference call quoted by Computerworld , alluded to the end of AT&T's deal with Apple for exclusive rights as the iPhone

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