AT&T iPhone exclusivity extended to 2010?
By Nilay Patel 
posted August 1st 2008 6:08PM
posted August 1st 2008 6:08PM
Apple's deal with AT&T obviously got re-done in order to get the iPhone 3G on the street for a subsidized $199, but it looks like Steve gave in on a little more than revenue-sharing when he re-upped with Ma Bell: USA Today says that AT&T's US exclusive on the iPhone has been extended for an additional year, until 2010. The extension isn't officially announced, but it's being cited in the context of a long interview with AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson, who's quoted as saying things like "The iPhone has repositioned AT&T as the premier wireless brand in the world." So yeah, dude's a fan -- and with iPhone customers spending almost double on rate plans than the average AT&T customer, it's not hard to see why. Looks like our dream of glorious data plan price wars will have to wait until Android makes a splash later this year.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Wouldn't it be nice if AT&T decided to allow current customers a free upgrade to the iPhone?
Bahahahahahahah!
Sigh.........you rule.
Congress could fix this with a quick change to the law. Or an anti-trust lawsuit.
Great more government.
First of all, since when was the original number 2009? from the ONLY source i've EVER seen, it was a 5 year deal, starting last year (which would be until 2012 to start with)
Secondly, "with iPhone customers spending almost double on rate plans than the average AT&T customer" - i'd like to see that statement qualified. what does that mean? is that the total rate plan averaged by dividing by the total at&t customer less the iPhone customers? ...that's just a little bit of a weird and ambiguous statement. (i don't doubt it but i'm wondering what exactly it means, and where that stat comes from.)
The average AT&T customer doesn't have a data plan. there you go.
W.r.t. high ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) it is well known that the (Palm-named) "prosumer" group uses their phones MUCH more than the "regular" crowd. Since the iPhone hit that crowd directly it makes total sense that they're using more time (minutes or data).
Poor Palm - wouldn't want to see their Treo sales figures...(Centro is not a Treo).
i thought that they had a five year contract, not a two year one.
Well, if that's the case, then I won't be getting the iPhone until 2011 at the earliest.
Although, I must say, the iPhone is increasingly becoming less appealing as everyone and their dog has it. Can anyone say RAZR?
ive just got the best |) /-\ |\/| E |) idea! why dont we tie in gas prices, that way we wont only be bending over and taking it all in stride but also sniffing the roses as well! XD (gas prices + iphone data plans = $ ^ insert infinity symbol here) or in other words poor people popping up every where! OMG! i see one looking back at me through the computer screen!! RUN!!!
Well no iPhone for another year then!
Are you guys serious? I've got a WM6 phone, with *gasp* the same exact "magic" you iFanboys use to find Chilis or get movie times. It's called Google Maps, it was out on WM *BEFORE* the iPhone was out, and it works just as great. Plus, my BlackJack II has a GPS, so I don't have to rely on My Location (which I can ALSO use, and does NOT compare to GPS, seriously. 1 mile margin of error? screw that, GPS is accurate within like 10 yards). And when Google Maps is being stupid and can't understand something like an airport code for directions, I can just fire up Live Search or Telenav.
My phone was only $99, and my internet costs me $20 a month, unlimited. Oh, and I
Oh, did you say you have a WM6 handset instead of an iPhone? Then let me be the first to offer my heartfelt condolences for your loss.
I'm only joking. The BlackJack 2 is one of a very few WinMo handsets worthy of being compared to the iPhone. I'm surprised it doesn't get more recognition.
yeaaa!!! i guess that means that my t-mo shadow will be bitchen 'till 2012 ;(
Why does Apple make it so damn hard to buy their stuff? Everything they make is so.. damn.. proprietary!
Want OSX? Better buy a Mac!
Want an iPod? Hope you don't rely on Linux!
Want an iPhone? Prepare to sell your soul to Ma Bell!
I would pay a premium for some of this stuff if they would just sell it in unlocked flavors for people to use however they want. There's clearly a ton of Apple hacking going on, Steveo must be aware that there is a demand for unlocked Apple products.
I'm still rockin' it old school with my T-mo Dash! My contract is up in a little over a year, though, and if they haven't taken strides to extend their 3G coverage (all I'm lookin' for here is Cleveland, people, how hard can it be?) by then, I'm switching to Verizon.
NO!
AT&T is monopolising the iPhone. Give me one good reason that Apple should stay with AT&T which will benefit customers.
Apple and AT&T's touching the Anti-trust lines...
We now have 4 official carriers in Australia, and a 5th offering BYO iPhone plans where customers can use a 3G iPhone legitimately unlocked from another network. They even give you a $300 rebate on the cost of the phone. Let the Price War begin!
What kind of morons read (and believe) USA Today? Sheesh . . . .
Probably the same ones that believe every stupid "rumor" posted on Engadget . . . .
Hey buddy....a different topic though...In Japan, the Carrier Softbank slashes the monthly fee to half. Expect a explosive sales in Japan
Apple should add a peel-off decal on the iPhone like they had on the iPod for a while. The iPod sticker said "Please don't steal music". As if! The new one could say "Please don't circumvent pre-installed third-party proprietary software" snicker.
How long before JailBreak is on the iTunes App store?