Cingular kicking rear and taking names for iPhone
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Jan 10th 2007 12:08PM
posted Jan 10th 2007 12:08PM
[Thanks, sysengr]
Cingular Business Markets Group
Announcing the Cingular – Apple Exclusive Partnership – The iPhone
Cingular and Apple have formed a multi-year exclusive partnership, leveraging the strengths of both companies, to create revolutionary new wireless products. The first of these products is the iPhone, an innovative wireless phone combining the reliability of the Cingular network and the simplicity and functionality of an iPod. It will be available in June 2007, exclusively on the Cingular network.
BMG professionals please note that at launch, the iPhone will not be available to BMG CRU customers or available under IRU discount programs.
Phone Details
Availability:
Cingular is the exclusive U.S. carrier for the iPhone and will work only on the Cingular network; new and existing customers can purchase iPhone in June 2007
Models:
There will be two models at launch, a 4 gigabyte model will retail for $499 and an 8 gigabyte model will retail for $599; the iPhone is fully compatible with Apple's iTunes running on either a PC or Mac.
Where to buy the iPhone:
iPhone will be available in Cingular retail stores, at www.cingular.com, and will be offered through Cingular's direct mail/direct response channels in June 2007; The iPhone will also be available in Apple stores and at www.apple.com.
Details on the qualified service plans will be made available nearer to the launch date (June 2007).
Features:
• The iPhone is a fully functional iPod, all iTunes Store content can be used on the iPhone, including 4 million songs, 350 TV Shows and 250 Movies
• Song and video capacity depends on the memory size of the device purchased
• Featuring Apple's renowned innovation and ease of use software and hardware design
• Visual Voicemail: a first on any mobile phone available today in the United States
• Customers receive Cingular service and all the benefits of network reliability, Rollover minutes, and mobile to mobile calling to 58 million customers
• Access to MyAccount via the device and the iTunes site, allowing customers complete ability to manage their Cingular service
• iPhone has unique internet browsing capabilities: EDGE, GPRS, GSM Quad-band, and is WiFi capable
Qualified Cingular Rate Plans:
Details will be available closer to launch.
Potential Customers:
Encourage your customers to register at www.cingular.com/iphone . By providing their name and email address, customers will be notified when the iPhone becomes available.
Critical Must Know
• Cingular and Apple have an exclusive multi-year partnership to create revolutionary wireless products
• The first of these – the Apple iPhone - will be available only on the Cingular network; combining the reliability of the Cingular network with the simplicity and functionality of an iPod
• Customers who purchase an iPhone will have a direct relationship with Cingular as their wireless provider (this is not an MVNO or Reseller agreement); customers will have Cingular service and receive Cingular bills
• Both existing and new customers will be able to purchase the iPhone
• The iPhone will only be available in Cingular and Apple stores and websites, and through Cingular's DMDR channel
• The device will not be available until June 2007
BMG Q&A
Q. Will I be able to get this device under my existing BMG contract (CRU)? Why not?
A. BMG customers will not be eligible for the first version of the device. Cingular will be selling through Cingular retail, Direct Marketing/Direct Response and Cingular.com The iPhone will also be available in Apple stores and on www.apple.com.
Q. Will my corporate discount (IRU) apply to this device? Why not?
A. The agreement between Cingular and Apple does not allow discounts on the device.
Q. Will this device support corporate email?
A. The device will have an internet browser at launch. Email capabilities of the phone will be defined closer to launch.
Q. If my BMG account wants this device, how can they participate?
A. BMG customers can buy the device, but not a discounted price. In addition, BMG customers will not be eligible for any service discounts.
Q. Does this decision not to offer this device conflict with existing BMG contract terms?
A. This does not conflict with existing contracts
So there is no discount for business purchases. Does this mean there could be consumer discounts?
The agreement mentions version 1 of the device. Any word on what Version 2 will be like?
I would really like to know if this thing is going to come branded with the Cingular name and the cool orange Jack logo, or it it's going to have the death star logo on it instead...oops I mean the "new at&t" globe.
We've heard all these exclusives about Cingular this and Cingular that, but aren't they retiring the brand name in Q3 and replacing it with at&t? Hopefully the execs will realize that the Cingular name and logo need to STAY in place since the public is finally used to it (and doesn't see it as the jumbo-jet baggage carrying replacement to the dreaded AT&T Wireless from years' past.) *shudder*
Does anyone know if this is absolute exclusivity? As in, they will only be making GPRS models with Cingular/AT&T? Or will we be seeing EV-DO models, like, say, next year?
I'll be honest with you, much as I would love having this phone, Cingular is now what AOL was back in the mid-to-late 1990's: Most popular, yet at the same time the worst service. I would not switch, even for something as awesome as the iPhone. (Grant you, I hate the lack of customisation on Verizon, but at least I can get calls where Cingular can't (basements being one of them)).
The email details were confirmed during Apple's Keynote, the phone will support IMAP and POP3 only, with more direct integration with Yahoo! Mail.
Sean, did you bother reading anything in the last two days or did you just wake up from the whopping OSU got on Monday (I know I'm still floored by it)? If you look above it clearly state the following:
Critical Must Know
• Cingular and Apple have an exclusive multi-year partnership to create revolutionary wireless products
• The first of these – the Apple iPhone - will be available only on the Cingular network; combining the reliability of the Cingular network with the simplicity and functionality of an iPod
Phone Details
Availability:
Cingular is the exclusive U.S. carrier for the iPhone and will work only on the Cingular network; new and existing customers can purchase iPhone in June 2007
I think that answers some of your questions regarding Verizon
Why isnt anybody talking about the fact that this device will be seriously hobbled by operating on the EDGE network!!!!!!!! Why would you want to use this AWESOME device without 3G speeds???????? Looks like Apple is unaware of the difference between EDGE and 3G and Cingular isnt going to say anything.
Hopefully a quad-band world version comes out so I can re-import a previously exported Apple product and stay with the T Mob.
When they started development (2+ years ago), WCDMA chipsets were not widely available. They went with what was available and worked. There were no UMTS networks at that time. They couldn't hedge on a technology that may or may not be avail at launch.
Newer models will follow.
Don't be stupid...
Wow that new I-mate looks sweet. I didn't know the Jam had evolved so much ;)
I still do not see why anyone would want an "iPhone", You can't talk, listen to music and watch videos all at the same time.
Better to buy an iPod, that way you can have more than 8gb for music and video. How much of that will be used by the operating system??
I have a Treo 650, it can play music and video. I never do though. I find it easier to use a different device for music, video and my books from audible.com.
I would only want the iPhone if its browser was as good as my PC browser. I would NOT need 4-8gb unless it is for the operating system...;-)
is the i phone 3g?..... and is the $599 for the 8 gig, is that with or without a 2 year contract?